MAURICE DU PONT LEI 







L ■ yjUZ^ 



// ir 6 & 




RAPHAEL SEMMES. 



THE CRUISE 



or 



THE ALABAMA 



AND THE 



SUMTER. 

FROM THE PRIVATE JOURNALS AND OTHER PAPERS OP 

COMMANDER R< SEMMES, C.S.N. 

AND OTIIER OFFICERS. 

©too bolumes in ©ne. 



<& 



NEW YORK: 

Carleton, Publisher, 413 Broadway, 

LONDON : SAUNDERS OTLEY, & CO. 
M DCCC LXIV. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by 

GEO. W. CARLETON, 

In the Clerk's Offiee of the District Court of the United States for the Southern 
District of New York. 



GIFT 

MAURICE DU PONT LEE 

FES. 6, 1946 

Property of the 
library of Congress 



K. CEAIGHKAD, 
Priuter, Siereolyper, anil Eleciroiyjier, 

Carton Euiloing, 

81, 83, and 85 Centre Street. 



ADVERTISEMENT 



TO THE LONDON EDITION. 



The following account of the cruise of the two Confede- 
rate States steamers — Sumter and Alabama — is taken from 
the private journals and other papers of Captain Semmes. 
It has been found necessary occasionally to adopt a narra- 
tive form, but the endeavour has been throughout to 
adhere as closely as possible to that officer's own words. 

Information has also been most kindly afforded by other 
officers of the two vessels, and especially Lieutenant R. F. 
Armstrong, and Master's Mate G. Townley Fullam, from 
whose private journals and other papers much valuable 
assistance has been obtained. 

A good deal of controversy has arisen respecting the 
legality of the course pursued by the Alabama, in the case 
of certain vessels claiming to carry a neutral cargo. In all 
these cases, however, great care was taken by Captain 
Semmes to enter in his journal full particulars of the 
claims, and of the grounds on which it was refused admis- 
sion. These cases will be found quoted in full in the fol- 
lowing volumes. 



CRUISE OF 

THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 



CHAPTER I. 

The Question at issue — An unexpected point of attack*— Captain Semmes 
— The President's instructions — Creating a navy — From the old to 
the new — An important mission — Appointed to the Sumter — True 
character of the Confederate "pirate." 

The President of the American States in Confederation was 
gathering an army for the defence of Southern liberty. Where 
valour is a national inheritance, and an enthusiastic unanimity pre- 
vails, this will not prove a difficult task. It is otherwise with the 
formation of a navy. Soldiers of Southern blood had thrown up 
their commissions in a body ; but sailors love their ships as well 
as their country, and appear to owe some allegiance to them like- 
wise. Nevertheless, if Mr. Davis had not a great choice of officers, 
he had eminent men to serve him, as the young history of the 
South has abundantly shown. To obtain experienced and trusty 
seamen was easier to him in such a crisis than to give them a 
command. The Atlantic and the ports of America were ruled at 
that time absolutely by President Lincoln. The South had not 
a voice upon the sea. The merchants of New York and Boston 
looked upon the war as something which concerned them very 
little. Not a dream of any damage possibly to be inflicted on 
them, disturbed the serenity of their votes for the invasion of 
the South. Their fleets entered harbour proudly ; their marine 
swam the ocean unmolested. Though there was war imminent, 
the insurance offices were content to maintain their terms upon a 
peace standard. What, indeed, was to be feared ? The South 
had not a single vessel. Here and there a packet-steamer might 
be caught up and armed, but what would they avail against such 
fleet and powerful ships as the Brooklyn, the Powhattan, and 
dozens of others ? There was, then, a condition of perfect security, 
according to the ideas of all American commercial men. The 



8 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

arrangement, as they understood it, was that they were to strike 
the blow, and that no one was to give them the value in return. 

It happened that Mr. Davis was of another mind. He perceived 
where a blow could be struck, on his part, with terrible emphasis, 
and how. The obstacles in his way were colossal ; but we have 
learnt that obstacles do not appal his indomitable genius. On the 
14th February, 1861, Captain Semmes, being then at his residence 
in the city of Washington, a Commander in the Federal navy, 
received the following telegram from Montgomery : — 

S IRj — On behalf of the Committee on Naval Affairs, I beg 
leave to request that you will repair to this place at your earliest 
convenience. 

You* obedient servant, 

C. M. Conrad, Chairman. 

The selection of Captain Semmes for the first hazardous service, 
whatsoever it might be, was due to his reputation and patriotism, 
as well as to the sagacity of the Confederate chief. He had 
already, in a letter to the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, expressed 
his willingness to fight for the South : " his judgment, his inclina- 
tions, and his affections," all hurrying him, as he says, to link his 
fate with the first movement of the South. " My fate," he pursues, 
" is cast with the South ; but I should be unwilling, unless invited, 
to appear to thrust myself upon the new Government until my 
own State has moved." This was at that time the feeling of 
many border statesmen. In another letter to Mr. Curry he had 
exposed sound practical views of the situation of the Confederates, 
as regards their marine, for defence and means of inflicting damage 
on their opponents. 

Captain Semmes at once replied that he would attend upon the 
committee immediately. His next act was respectfully to resign 
his commission as Commander in the Navy of the United States; 
which resignation was accepted in the same terms. He ceased 
similarly to be a member of the Lighthouse Board. These mat- 
ters concluded, he telegraphed to the Hon. J. L. M. Curry, in 
Montgomery, where the Confederate States' Congress was sitting, 
that he was now a free man to serve his struggling country. 
Forthwith he was deputed by President Davis to return to the 
Northern States, and make large purchases and contracts "for 
machinery and munitions, or for the manufacture of arms and 
munitions of war;" as also to obtain "cannon and musket- 
powder, the former of the coarsest grain," and to engage with a 
certain proprietor of powder-mills for the " establishment of a 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 9 

powder-mill at some point in the limits of our territory." This 
letter gives a good idea of the business-like qualities brought by 
Mr. Davis to his high office. "At the arsenal at Washington," 
he writes, "you will find an artificer named Wright, who has 
brought the cap-making machine to its present state of efficiency, 
and who might furnish a cap-machine, and accompany it, to ex- 
plain its operations." Throughout the letter, which is full of 
minute instructions and weighty commissions, Mr. Davis shows 
the fullest confidence in the loyalty and fitness of the man in 
whom he placed trust. 

Captain Semmes was engaged in the performance of these im- 
mediate duties, when a confidential communication from Mr. S. 
R. Mallory, of the Navy department, gave him warning of two or 
more steamers, of a class desired for present service, which might 
be purchased at or near New York — " steamers of speed, light 
draught, and strength sufficient for at least one heavy gun." 

"The steamers are designed to navigate the waters and 
enter the bays and inlets of the coast from Charleston to 
the St. Mary's, and from Key West to the Rio Grande, for 
coast defences;" and Captain Semmes' judgment will need no 
further guide when he is told that "their speed should be suffi- 
cient to give them at all times the ability to engage or to evade an 
engagement, and that an 8 or 10-inch gun, with, perhaps, two 32, 
or, if not, two of smaller calibre, should constitute their battery." 

The Captain's appointment as Commander in the Navy of the 
Confederate States, and taking of the oaths, followed in April. 
On the 1 8th of that month, Mr. Mallory detached him from the 
post he held, by appointment from the President, of Chief of the 
Lighthouse Bureau, with orders that he should proceed to New 
Orleans and take command of the steamer Sumter. Captain 
Semmes saw clearly that war was coming. He perceived, at the 
same time, the means by which he could serve his country best. 
He set forth for New Orleans without delay. 

Our readers will see, by-and-by, from the quotation's we shall 
make from the Captain's Log, that he is as little the hungry fire- 
eater which many of his admirers suppose him to be, as he is the 
Black Pirate of the New York press. Captain Semmes is a 
native of Charles county, in Maryland, a State that has furnished 
numerous patriotic citizens to the South. Before accepting his 
new service he had taken honourable farewell of his old. The 
Federals had no charge to bring against him before the day when 
he stepped on the deck of the then unknown and insignificant 
Sumter steam-vessel. W T hat they may have said later is of no 
particular consequence ; nor can it be thought to be greatly to the 



10 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

discredit of Captain Semmes that they have cried out loudly, and 
as men in pain. 



CHAPTER II. 

The Sumter formerly the Havannah packet-ship — Captain Semmes 
joins and assumes command — Altering the vessel — Vexatious delays — 
The war begins — The river blockaded — Crew of the Sumter — Drop- 
ping down the river — An attempt — No pilots — Vigorous action — 
Sumter still at her anchors — Lamps removed from lighthouses — More 
enemy s ships — Orders on board the Sumter — False hopes — The 30th 
of June — A courageous pilot — The escape of the Sumter — The chase 
— The enemy ' 



The little vessel which 4iow constituted the whole strength of the 
Confederate navy, was a merchant screw-steamer of 501 tons 
burthen. She had been hitherto known as the Havannah, and 
had plied as a packet-ship between the port of that name and 
New Orleans. She was now to be extemporized into a man-of- 
war, and in her new guise was to achieve a world-wide celebrity, 
and to play no unimportant part in the great struggle between 
North and South. 

Arrived in New Orleans, Captain Semmes at once proceeded, 
in company with Lieutenant Chapman, to inspect his new com- 
mand — of which he speaks with evident satisfaction as a " staunch 
and well-built" vessel. In her then condition, however, she was 
by no means fitted for her new duties ; and he accordingly devot- 
ed all his energies towards effecting the alterations necessary for 
that purpose. The first step was to disencumber her decks of the 
long range of upper cabins, thus materially increasing her buoy- 
ancy as a fea-boat, and diminishing the area exposed to the enemy's 
shot and shell. Then a berth-deck was laid for the accommoda- 
tion of officers and crew, and the main deck renewed and strength- 
ened to carry the heavy 8-inch shell-gun, mounted on a pivot be- 
tween the fore and mainmasts, and the four 24-pounder howitzers 
of 13 cwt. each, to be mounted as a broadside battery. Additional 
coal-bunkers were also constructed, and a magazine and shell-room 
built in a suitable position, and these and a few other less import- 
ant changes effected, the transformation was complete, and the lit- 
tle Sumter ready to proceed upon her work of devastation. 

It must not, however, be imagined that all this was done with- 
out many and vexatious delays. The emergency had found the 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 11 

new Confederation altogether unprepared, and trouble and confu- 
sion were the inevitable result. Hitherto, everything had been 
done by the North. Up to the very last moment it had been be- 
lieved that the separation of the two sections would be peaceably 
effected ; and now the necessary works had to be hastily carried 
out by civilian workmen, under the direction of a department, it- 
self as yet but provisionally and most imperfectly organized. 

Sorely tried by the delays consequent upon this condition of 
affairs, Captain Semmes commences his Diary as follows : — 

New Orleans, May 24th. — A month has elapsed since I began 
the preparation of the Sumter for sea, and yet we are not ready. 
Leeds and Co. have not given us our tanks, and we only received 
the carriage of the 8-inch gun to-day. The officers are all present, 
and the crew has been shipped, and all are impatient to be off. 
The river is not yet blockaded, but expected to be to-morrow. ]t 
must be a close blockade, and by heavy vessels, that will keep us 
in. Troops are being collected in large numbers in the enemy's 
States, marchings and counter-marchings are going on ; and the 
fleet seems to be kept very busy, scouring hither and thither, but 
nothing accomplished. Whilst penning the last paragraph, news 
reaches us that the Lincoln Government has crossed the Potomac 
and invaded Virginia ! Thus commences a bloody and a bitter 
war. So be it; we but accept the gauntlet which has been flung 
in our faces. The future will tell a tale worthy of the South and 
of her noble cause." 

But the delays were not yet over. On the 27th May, the Unit- 
ed States steamer Brooklyn made her appearance, and commenced 
the blockade of the river. The following day brought the power- 
ful frigates Niagara and Minnesota to her assistance ; and when on 
the 1st of June Captain Semmes began at length to look hopefully 
seawards, the Powhattan was discovered carefully watching the 
only remaining exit from the river. • 

One by one, however, the difficulties were fairly overcome, and 
the infant navy of the Confederate States was ready to take the 
sea. The Sumter's crew consisted of Captain Semmes, command- 
ing, four lieutenants, a paymaster, a surgeon, a lieutenant of ma- 
rines, four midshipmen, four engineers, boatswain, gunner, sail- 
maker, carpenter, captain's and purser's clerks, twelve marines,and 
seventy-two seamen. Thus manned and equipped, she dropped 
down the river on the 18th June, and anchored off the Barracks 
for the purpose of receiving on board her ammunition and other 
similar stores. From thence she again proceeded on the same 
evening still lower down the river to Forts Philip and Jackson, 



f 



12 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA ANH. THE SUMTER. 

■where she brought up on the following day, to await a favourable 
opportunity for running the blockade. 

For three days she remained at her new anchorage, this period 
of enforced inactivity being diligently employed in drilling and 
exercising the crew, and bringing the vessel generally into some- 
what better order than her hurried equipment had as yet permit- 
ted her to assume. On the 21st June, however, intelligence was 
received that the Powhattan had left her station in chase of two 
vessels, and that a boat from the Brooklyn had passed into the 
river, and was making for the telegraph station. Captain Semmes 
at once decided to avail himself of this opportunity to escape to 
sea, and getting up steam, proceeded to Pass a L'Outre, and de- 
spatched one of his boats to the lighthouse for a pilot. 

Here, however, an unexpected difficulty occurred. The light- 
house-keeper replied that he knew nothing of the pilots, and the 
Sumter was accordingly compelled again to bring up, whilst the 
Confederate privateer Ivy ran down, at Captain Semmes' request, 
to the South-west Pass, to endeavour to procure a pilot for her 
there. This expedition, however, met with no better success, and 
the Ivy returned with the information that the pilots refused to 
take charge of the vessel. A further despatch was addressed to 
Captain Semmes, from the Captain of the House of Pilots, to the 
effect that " no pilots were now on duty." 

It now became necessary to act with vigour, and the Ivy was 
accordingly again despatched to the South-west Pass. This time, 
however, she carried with her the first lieutenant of the Sumter, 
with the following peremptory message to the Master of the Pilot 
Association to repair immediately on board, and instructions, if 
any hesitation were evinced in complying with this command, to 
arrest the entire body and bring them off : — 

C. S. steamer Sumter, Head of the Passes 
June 22nd, 1861. 

Sir, — JThis is to command you to repair on board this ship with 
three or four of the most experienced pilots of the Bar. I am 
surprised to learn that an unwillingness has been expressed by 
some of the pilots of your Association to come on board the 
Sumter, and my purpose is to test the fact of such disloyalty to 
the Confederate States. If any man disobey this summons, I will 
not only have his Branch taken away from him, but I will send an 
armed force and arrest and bring him on board. 
I have the honour to be, 
Very respectfully, 

Your obedient Servant, 
(Signed) R. Semmes. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 13 

This extreme measure, however, was not found necessary. The 
mere threat was sufficient, and on the following day the master, 
with several of his pilots, made their appearance on board the 
Sumter. After a brief consultation with Captain Semmes, they 
one and all, with the exception of the master, expressed their 
willingness to take the vessel to sea, and thereupon the captain, 
selecting one of the number for this service, permitted the re- 
mainder to depart. 

Meanwhile, however, the golden opportunity had been lost; the 
Powhattan had returned to her station, and the harbour was again 
hermetically sealed. The Sumter, therefore, was again compelled 
to return to her anchors, and eight more days passed wearily 
away without affording another opportunity of evasion. The 
interval of expectation, however, was again occupied in drilling and 
exercising the crew, which was now beginning to get into good 
working order ; measures being also taken for extinguishing and 
removing the lamps from the lighthouses at Pass a L'Outre and 
the South Pass, Captain Semmes addressing to the Navy Depart- 
ment at Richmond the following letter upon the subject : — 

C. 8. steamer Sumter, Head of the Passes, 
Miss. River, June 30th, 1861. 

Sir, — I have the honour to inform the department that I am 
still at my anchors at the " Head of the Passes," the enemy 
closely investing both of the practicable outlets. At Pass a 
L'Outre there are three ships — the Brooklyn and another pro- 
peller, and a large side-wheel steamer ; and at the South-west Pass 
there is the Powhattan, lying within half-a-mile of the Bar, and 
not stirring an inch from her anchors night or day. I am only 
surprised that the Brooklyn does not come up to this anchorage, 
which she might easily do (as there is water enough, and no mili- 
tary precautions whatever have been taken to hold it), and thus 
effectually seal all the passes of the river by her presence alone, 
which would enable the enemy to withdraw the remainder of his 
blockadiug force for use elsewhere. With the assistance of the 
Jackson and McRae (neither of which has yet dropped down), I 
could probably hold my position here until an opportunity offered 
of my getting to sea. I shall watch diligently for such an oppor- 
tunity, and have no doubt that, sooner or later, it will present 
itself. I found, upon dropping down to this point, that the lights 
at Pass a L'Outre and South Pass had been strangely overlooked, 
and that they were still burning. I caused them both to be 
extinguished, so that if bad weather should set in, the blockading 
vessel will have nothing " to hold on to," and will be obliged to 



14 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA ANB THE SUMTER. 

make an offing. At present the worst feature of the blockade is 
that the Brooklyn has the speed of me, so that, even though I 
should run the bar, I could not hope to escape her unless I sur- 
prised her, which, with her close watch of the Bar, at anchor near 
to, both night and day, it will be exceedingly difficult to do. I 
should be quite willing to try speed with the Powhattan if I could 
hope to run the gauntlet of her guns without being crippled ; but 
unfortunately, with all the buoys and other maks removed, there 
is a perfectly blind bar except by daylight. In the meantime I 
am drilling my gun-crew to a proper use of the great guns and 
small arms. With the exception of diarrhoea which is prevailing 
to some extent, brought on by too free a use of the river water in 
the excessive heats which prevail, the crew continue healthy. 
***** 

I have the honour to be, &c, <fcc, 

(Signed) R. Semmks. 

Hon. G. E. Mallory, Secretary of the Navy, 
Bichmond, Virginia. 

The following orders were also issued : — 

u Orders to be Observed on Board the C. S. Steamer Sumter. 

"1. The deck will never be left without a lieutenant, except 
that in port a midshipman may be assigned to keep the first lieu- 
tenant's watch. 

" 2. The quarter-deck will at all times be regarded as a place of 
parade, and no sitting or lounging will be permitted thereon. For 
the purposes of this order all the spar deck abaft the mainmast 
will be regarded as the quarter-deck. 

" 3. Officers will wear their uniforms at all times when on board 
ship, and when on shore on duty. 

" 4. No officer will remain out of the ship after ten p.m. with- 
out the special permission of the commander. 

"5. Each division of guns will be exercised at least three times 
a week ; and there will be an exercise at general quarters twice a 
week, viz., on Tuesdays and Fridays. 

" 6. The crew will be mustered at quarters for inspection every 
morning at nine o'clock (except Sundays), and every evening at 
sunset. 

"♦. On Sundays there will be a general muster for inspection at 
eleven a.m., when the officers will appear in undress with epaulettes 

u 8. The chief engineer is to keep the commander informed at 
all times (through the first lieutenant) of the condition of his en- 
gines, boilers, <fec. ; and he is to see that his assistants, &c, are 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 15 

punctual and zealous in the performance of their duties, and report 
such as fail therein to the first lieutenant. 

" 9. There will be an engineer at all times on watch in the en- 
gine-room when the ship is under steam, and the engineer on 
watch will report every two hours to the officer of the deck how 
the engines are working, <fcc. 

" 10. The marine officer will drill his guard once every day 
when the weather is suitable, and the duty of the ship does not in- 
terfere therewith. 

44 1 1 . The firemen will be exercised once a week, when the pumps, 
hose, <fec, are to be adjusted, and used as in case of actual fire." 

On the morning of the 29th of June hopes were again excited 
by a report from the pilot that the Brooklyn had left her station ; 
and steam being got up with all speed on board the Sumter, she 
again dropped down to Pass a l'Outre, but only to find that the 
report had been fallacious. The Brooklyn was still at anchor, 
though a slight change of berth had placed her behind the shelter 
of a mass of trees. Once more, therefore, the Sumter was brought 
to an anchor; but on the day following, her patient waiting was 
rewarded by the long-looked-for opportunity. On the morning of 
the 30th of June the Brooklyn was again reported under way and 
in chase of a vessel to leeward ; and no sooner was the fact of her 
departure fairly verified than steam was got up for the last time, 
and the little Sumter dashed boldly across the bar, and stood out 
to sea. 

Almost at the last moment, however, it seemed as though the 
attempt to escape were again to be baffled by difficulties on the 
part of the pilot. The man on board of the Sumter lost courage 
as the moment of trial came, and professed his inability to take 
the vessel through the pass thus left free by the departure of the 
Brooklyn, alleging as his excuse that he had not passed through it 
for more than three months. Happily the man's cowardice or 
treachery produced no ill effects ; for, as the Sumter dropped down 
the river on her way towards the open sea, another pilot came 
gallantly off to her in his little boat, and volunteered to carry her 
through the Pass. 

The Sumter had not reached within six miles of the bar when 
her movements were perceived from the Brooklyn, which at once 
relinquished the far less valuable prize on which she had been 
hitherto intent ; and, changing her course, headed at top speed 
towards the bar, in hopes of cutting the Sumter off before she 
could reach it. The narrow opening through the bar, distant 
about six miles from either of the opposing vessels, now became 



16 CRUISE. OF THE ALABAMA AfcTD THE SUMTER. 

the goal of a sharp and exciting race. The Sumter had *the 
advantage of the stream : but the Brooklyn was her superior in 
speed, and moreover, carried guns of heavier calibre and longer 
range. At length the Pass is reached ; and dashing gallantly 
across it, the little Sumter starboards her helm and rounds the 
mud-banks to the eastward ! As she does so the Brooklyn rounds 
to for a moment and gives her a shot from her pivot gun. But 
the bolt falls short ; and now the race begins in earnest ! 

The chase had not continued long, when a heavy squall of 
wind and rain came up and hid the pursuing vessel from sight ; 
but it soon passed away, and the Brooklyn was again descried 
astern, under all sail and steam, and evidently gaining upon her 
little quarry. On this the Sumter was hauled two points higher 
up, thus bringing the wind so far forward that the Brooklyn was 
no longer able to carry sail. And now the chase in her turn 
begau to gain upon her huge pursuer. But she was now in salt 
water, and her boilers were beginning to "prime" furiously. 
It was necessary to slacken speed for a time, and as she did so 
the Brooklyn again recovered her advantage. Then gradually 
the foaming in the Sumter's boilers ceased, and she was again put 
to her speed. The utmost pressure was put on ; the propeller 
began to move at the rate of sixty-five revolutions a minute, and 
the Brooklyn once more dropped slowly but steadily astern. At 
length she gave up the chase, and at four o'clock in the afternoon, 
just four hours after crossing the bar, the crew of the Sumter gave 
three hearty cheers as her baffled pursuer put up her helm, and, 
relinquishing the chase, turned sullenly back to her station at the 
mouth of the river. 



CHAPTER III. 

Beginning the cruise — The first prize the Golden Rocket — The capture 
burnt — Ihe Cuba and Machias — Cienfuegos — The Ben Dunning and 
Albert Adams — Three at once: the West Wind, the Naiad, and the 
Louisa Kilham — A fleet of prizes — Saluting the Confederate States' 
flag — At Cuba — Strict neutrality — A prize agent — The Governor- 
General of Cuba — Recapture by the United States — An accident to 
the commander — A gale — At Curacao — The Dutch Governor — An 
ex-president in difficulties — The Abby Bradford — Venezuela — An in- 
hospitable port — The Joseph Maxwell — Military v. naval — Sagacious 
skipper — Gulf of Bahia. 

The Sumter had now fairly commenced her gallant career. The 
1st July dawned bright and fair with a light breeze from the 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 17 

sonth-west, and the little vessel sped through the water at an 
average speed of about eight knots an hour. All that day not a 
sail appeared in sight. Night settled down in all the calm splen- 
dour of the tropic seas, and nothing disturbed its serenity save 
the monotonous beatiug of the Sumter's propeller as she steered a 
south-easterly course down the Gulf of Mexico. The following 
day brought her safely to Cape Antonio, which she rounded under 
sail and steam, and striking the trade-winds, hoisted up her pro- 
peller and stood away towards the west. 

The afternoon of the 3rd July brought the Sumter her first 
prize. At about 3 p.m. a sail was descried in shore, beating to 
windward, and steering a course that would bring her almost into 
contact with the Confederate vessel. To avoid suspicion, no 
notice was taken of the stranger until the two vessels had ap- 
proached within the distance of a little more than a mile from 
each other, when a display of English colours from the Con- 
federate was answered by the stranger with the stars and stripes 
of the United States. Down came the St. George's ensign from 
the Sumter's peak, to be replaced almost before it had touched 
the deck by the stars and bars, which at that time constituted the 
flag of the Confederate States. A shot was fired across the bows 
of the astonished Yankee, who at once hove-to, and a boat was 
sent on board to take possession of the Sumter's first capture. 

The prize proved to be the ship Golden Rocket, from the 
Yankee State of Maine — a fine ship of 6.90 tons burthen, only 
three years old, and worth from 30,000 to 40,000 dollars. She 
was bound to Cienfuegos in Cuba, but had no cargo on board, 
and Captain Semmes, being unwilling at that early stage of his 
cruise to spare a prize crew, determined to destroy the vessel, and 
after taking the captain and crew on board the Sumter set the 
prize on fire and left her to her fate.* 

* " It was about ten o'clock at night when the first glare of light burst 
from her cabin- hatch. Few, few on board can forget the spectacle. A ship 
set fire to at sea ! It would seem that man was almost warring with his 
Maker. Her helpless condition, the red flames licking the rigging as they 
climbed aloft, the sparks and pieces of burning rope taken off by the wind 
and flying miles to leeward, the ghastly glare thrown upon the dark sea as far 
as the eye could reach, and then the death-like stillness of the scene — all 
these combined to place the Golden Rocket on the tablet of our memories 
for ever. But, notwithstanding the reluctance with which we did it, we 
would not have missed the opportunity for anything on earth. We wanted 
no war— we wanted peace ; we had dear friends among those who were 
making war upon us, and for their sakes, if not for the sake of humanity, 
we hoped to be allowed to separate in peace; but it could not be; they 
forced the war upon us — they endeavoured to destroy us. For this, and for 
this alone, we burn their ships and destroy their commerce. We have no 



18 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

The following day saw two more prizes fall into the Sumter's 
hands. These were the brigantines Cuba and Machias, both of 
Maine. The captures were taken in tow and carried off in the 
direction of Cienfuegos. The next day, however, the Cuba broke 
adrift from her hawser, and on being recovered, a prize crew 
was sent on board the vessel, with directions to carry her into 
Cienfuegos, for which port Captain Semmes was now shaping his 
course. 

Arrived off that harbour on the evening of the same day, it 
was found too late to attempt to enter, and two more vessels 
being descried in the offing, the Machias was cast off, with orders 
to lay-to until the morning, and the Sumter started off in chase. 
On coming up with the two vessels, at about half-past nine o'clock, 
they proved to be the United States brigantines, Ben Dunning 
and Albert Adams. They were at once taken possession of, and 
ordered to make the best of their way in charge of a prize crew 
to Cienfuegos. 

The night was passed in standing off and on outside the har- 
bour, and with the earliest dawn preparations were made for run- 
ning in. The weather was bright and clear, and the brief twilight 
of the tropics flushed rapidly into the full glare of day, and 
showed to the watchful eyes on board the Sumter the welcome 
spectacle of three more vessels being towed out to sea by a 
steamer, the stars and stripes floating gaily from their peaks. 
Warily and patiently the little Sumter lay in wait, under the 
shelter of the land, until the steamer had cast off her convoy, and 
the three unsuspecting vessels were fairly beyond the maritime 
league from the neutral shore, within which the law of nations 
forbids that captures should be made. Then suddenly her decks 
swarmed with men, the black smoke poured from her funnel, the 
sails filled, and out she came in pursuit. The chase was brief, 
and ere long the barque West Wind, the brigantine Naiad, and 
the barque Louisa Kilham were in charge of prize crews, and 
wending their way sadly back to the port they had so recently 
left in full expectation of a prosperous voyage. 

So, witb her little fleet of prizes, six in all, before her, the 
Sumter steered proudly into the harbour of Cienfuegos. As she 
passed the fort which guards, the entrance, a hail was heard from 
the shore, accompanied by the almost simultaneous report of a 
couple of musket shots fired over the vessel, for the purpose, ap- 
parently, of enforcing the order to bring up and come to an 

feeling of enmity against them, and all we ask is to be let alone — to be 
allowed to tread the path we have chosen for ourselves." — " Cruise of the 
Sumter," from the " Index" May 1st, 1862. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 19 

anchor. The command having been obeyed, a boat was at once 
despatched in charge of Lieutenant Evans to call on the Com- 
mandant and ask an explanation of this inhospitable reception. 
The message was brought back, that the flag of the new Con- 
federacy had not been understood by him, and that the vessel had 
consequently been brought up in compliance with the standing 
order that no vessel, whether of war or otherwise, should be per- 
mitted to pass until her nationality had been ascertained. Ex- 
planations, of course, followed, and in the evening came the 
Commandant, with the Governor's permission either to land or go 
to sea, but accompanied by an intimation that the six prizes would 
be detained until instructions could be received from head- 
quarters concerning them. 

Lieutenant Chapman was now sent on shore with the following 
despatch for the Governor, and also to make arrangements for 
coaling and for the safety and ultimate disposition of the prizes : 

C. S. Sumter. Cienfuegos, Island of Cuba, 
July 6th, 1861. 

Sir, — I have the honour to inform your Excellency of my 
arrival at the Port of Cienfuegos with seven prizes of war. These 
vessels are the brigantines Cuba, Machias, Ben Dunning, Albert 
Adams and Naiad ; and barques West Wind and Louisa Kilham, 
property of citizens of the United States, which States, as your 
Excellency is aware, are waging an unjust and aggressive war upon 
the Confederate States, which I have the honour, with this ship 
under my command, to represent. I have sought a port of Cuba 
with these prizes, with the expectation that Spain will extend to 
cruisers of the Confederate States the same friendly reception that 
in similar circumstances she would extend to the cruisers of the 
enemy ; in other words, that she will permit me to leave the 
captured vessels within her jurisdiction until they can be adjudi- 
cated by a Court of Admiralty of the Confederate States. As a 
people maintaining a Government de facto, and not only holding 
the enemy in check, but gaining advantages over him, we are 
entitled to all the rights of belligerents, and I confidently rely 
upon the friendly disposition of Spain, who is our near neighbour 
in the most important of her colonial possessions, to receive us 
with equal and even-handed justice, if not with the sympathy 
which our unity of interest and policy, with regard to an important 
social and industrial institution, are so well calculated to inspire. 
A rule which would exclude our prizes from her ports during the 
war, although it should be applied in terms equally to the enemy, 
would not, I respectfully suggest, be an equitable or just rule. 



20 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

The basis of such a rule, as, indeed, of all the conduct of a neutral 
during war, is equal and impartial justice to all the belligerents ; 
and this should be a substantial and practical justice, and not exist 
in delusive or deceptive terms merely. Now, a little reflection 
will, I think, show your Excellency that the rule in question can- 
not be applied in the present war without operating with great 
injustice to the Confederate States. It is well known to your Ex- 
cellency that the United States being a manufacturing and com- 
mercial people, whilst the Confederate States have been thus far 
almost wholly an agricultural and planting people, the former 
had within their limits and control almost the whole naval force 
of the old Government, and that they have seized and appro- 
priated this force to themselves, regardless of the just claims of 
the Confederates States to a portion, and a large portion of it, as 
tax-payers out of whose contributions it was created. The United 
States are thus enabled to blockade all the important ports of the 
Confederate States. In this condition of things, observe the prac- 
tical working of the rule which I am discusssing. 

It must be admitted that we have equal belligerent rights with 
the enemy. 

One of the most important of these rights in a war against a 
commercial people, is that which I have just exercised, of captur- 
ing his property upon the high seas. But how are the Confederate 
States to enjoy to its full extent the benefit of this right, if their 
cruisers are not permitted to enter neutral ports with their prizes, 
and retain them there in safe custody until they can be condemned 
and disposed of? 

They cannot send them to their own ports for the reasons already 
stated. Except for the purpose of destruction, therefore, their 
right of capture would be entirely defeated by the adoption of the 
rule in question, whilst the enemy would suffer no inconvenience 
from it, as all his ports are open to him. I take it for granted 
that Spain will not think of acting upon so unjust and unequal 
a rule. 

But another question arises, indeed has already arisen, in the 
cases of some of the very captures which I have brought into 
port. The cargoes of several of the vessels are claimed, as appears 
by certificates found among the papers, as Spanish property. 

This fact cannot of course be verified, except by a judicial pro- 
ceeding in the Prize Courts of the Confederate States. 

But whilst this fact is being determined, what is to be done 
with the property ? I have the right to destroy the vessels, but 
not the cargoes, in case the latter should prove to be, as claimed, 
Spanish property — but how am i I to destroy the former, and not 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 21 

the latter? I cannot before sentence unlade the cargoes and de- 
liver them to the claimants, for I do not know that the claims will 
be sustained ; and I cannot destroy them, for I do not know that 
the claims will not be sustained. 

Indeed, one of the motives which influenced me in seeking a 
Spanish port, was the fact that these cargoes were claimed by 
Spanish subjects, whom I was desirous of putting to as little in- 
convenience as possible in the unlading and reception of their 
property, after sentence, should it be restored to them. 

It will be for your Excellency to consider and act upon these 
grave questions, touching alike the interests of both our Go- 
vernments. 

I have the honour to be, &c, &c, 

R. Semmes. 

His Excellency Don Joso de la Pozuela, 

Governor of the City of Cienfuegos, Island of Cuba. 

At eight o'clock on the morning of the 7th July, Lieutenant 
Chapman returned, bringing with him Don Isnaga and Don Ma- 
riano Dias, two Cuban gentlemen, warm sympathizers with the 
Confederate cause. The latter of these gentlemen was at once 
appointed prize agent, and after partaking of the hospitality of 
the ship, they returned to shore, and the remainder of the day 
was spent on board the Sumter in replenishing the various stores 
that had begun to run low after her cruise. In the course of the 
day about 100 tons of coal and 5000 gallons of water were 
shipped, besides a quantity of fresh provisions for the crew ; and 
at about 10 p.m. an answer arrived from the Governor to the 
despatch sent on shore the previous evening by Lieutenant 
Chapman. 

It stated that the Captain-General of Cuba had given instruc- 
tions as follows : — 

1. No cruiser of either party can bring their prizes into Spa- 
nish ports. 

2. If in any captures the territory of Cuba has been violated, 
the Spanish courts will themselves judge of the matter. 

3. Any prizes will be detained until instructions can be had 
from the Queen. 

These points being ascertained, the prizes already at anchor 
were left to the care of the prize agent, Don Dias, and at about 
midnight the Sumter hove up her anchor and again proceeded to 
sea. Nothing had as yet been' seen of the prize brig Cuba, which 
had been left in charge of a prize crew a day or two before, nor, 



22 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

indeed, did she ever arrive at the rendezvous, being re-captured by 
the enera} T , and carried off to the United States. 

Shortly after leaving Cienfuegos, a sail was descried in the 
offing, which, however, on being overhauled, proved to be only a 
Spanish brig, and the Sumter accordingly kept on her course, 
between 9 and 10 p.m. passing the Cayman Islets, which, Captain 
Seraraes remarks in his journal, are laid down some fifteen or 
sixteen miles to the westward of their real position. Daylight of 
the 9th July found the little Sumter struggling against a strong 
trade wind and heavy sea, off the western end of Jamaica, the 
blue mountains of which picturesque island remained in sight 
during the entire day. 

At this period an accident occurred which for some time de- 
prived the Sumter of the active supervision of her commander. 
Always of delicate constitution, and ill-fitted for the rough part 
he had now to play, he had lately been still further weakened by 
illness; and on mounting the companion-ladder, for the purpose 
of desiring that the vessel might not be driven at so high a speed 
against the heavy head-sea, a sudden giddiness came over him, 
and after leaning for a few moments with his head upon his arm, 
altogether lost consciousness, and fell heavily backwards down the 
companion to the cabin floor, where he lay for some time in a 
state of insensibility. The result of this fall was some very seri- 
ous bruises, with a difficulty in breathing, which for some days 
kept him confined to his hammock. At this time, however, the 
Sumter was quite out of the ordinary track of commerce, and was 
labouring slowly through a heavy sea against the steady and tena- 
cious trade-wind at the rate of little more than five knots an hour, 
making terrible inroads upon the small supply of coal which was 
so precious to her. 

The 13th July found the trade-wind increased to a regular gale, 
the Sumter making literally no way at all against the heavy head- 
sea. In this state of affairs it was found necessary to abandon the 
previous intention of making for Barbados, as there was not suffi- 
cient coal on board to last the distance. This project, therefore, 
was given up, the vessel's head turned from the sea, the fires let 
down, the ship got under sail, aud a new course shaped for Cura- 
sao. Here it was hoped that a fresh supply of coal might be ob- 
tained, and the little Sumter staggered along under a press of can- 
vas towards Jier new destination, the violent motion causing great 
distress to the captain, who was still confined to his cabin, and 
almost entirely to his hammock. 

On the 15th July, the weather moderated for a time, and a 
warm sunny afternoon, with comparatively little sea, gave an inter- 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 23 

val of rest. The next morning saw the wind again blowing freshly, 
but at 9 a.m. land was seen on the starboard bow, and at four in 
the afternoon the Sumter passed the north end of the island of 
Curasao, running down the coast to within about a mile of St. 
Anne's, where she arrived at a little after seven o'clock. A gun 
was fired as a signal for a pilot, and soon after one came off, pro- 
mising to return again in the morning, and carry the vessel into 
harbour. 

Morning came, and, true to his word, the pilot once more made 
his appearance upon deck. But the remainder of his promise he 
was unable to fulfil. " The Governor regrets," he said, in reply to 
Captain Semmes' inquiries, " that he cannot permit you to enter, 
he having received express orders to that effect." A little diplo- 
macy, however, soon removed the difficulty, which had arisen from 
the urgent representations of the United States consul on the pre- 
vious evening, aided, no doubt, by a defective description of the 
vessel from the pilot. Lieutenant Chapman was sent on shore with 
the following letter to the Governor : — 



C. 8. steamer Sumter, off St. Anne's, 
Curacao, July 17th, 1861. 

His Excellency Governor Crol : 

Sir, — I was surprised to receive by the pilot this morning a 
message from your Excellency to the effect, that this ship could 
not be permitted to enter the harbour unless she was in distress, as 
your Excellency had received orders from your Government not 
to admit vessels of war of the Confederate States of America to 
the hospitality of the ports under your Excellency's command. I 
must respectfully suggest that there must be some mistake here, 
and I have sent to you the bearer, Lieut. Chapman, C. S. Navy, 
for the purpose of an explanation. Your Excellency must be under 
some misapprehension as to the character of this vessel. She is 
a ship of war, duly commissioned by the Government of the Con- 
federate States, which States have been recognised as belligerents 
in the present war by all the leading Powers of Europe — viz., Great 
Britain, France, Spain, &c, as your Excellency must be aware. It 
is true that these Powers have prohibited both belligerents from 
bringing prizes into their several jurisdictions, but no one of them 
has made a distinction either between the prizes or the cruisers 
themselves of the belligerents,the cruisers of both Governments being 
admitted to the hospitalities of the ports of all these great Powers 
on terms of perfect equality. Am I to understand from your 
Excellency that Holland has adopted a different rule, and that she 
not only excludes the prizes, but the ships of war themselves of 



24 CKTJISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

the Confederate States, and this at the same time that she admits 
the cruisers of the United States, thus departing from her neutral- 
ity in this war, ignoring the Confederate States as belligerents, 
and aiding and assisting their enemy ? If this be the position 
which Holland has assumed in this contest, I pray your Excel- 
lency to be kind enough to say as much to me in writing. 
I have the honour to be, &c, &c. 

(Signed) R. Semmes. 

Governor Crol, St. Anne's, Curacao. 

This explanation removed all difficulties, and by 11 a.m. the 
requisite permission had been obtained, and the Sumter was safely 
at anchor in the lagoon. 

Here she lay for some days, surrounded by bum-boats filled 
with picturesque natives of all colours, chattering like parrots, and 
almost as gaudy in their plumage. Meanwhile the crew were 
hard at work replenishing the coal-bunkers, filling up wood and 
water, taking in fresh provisions, and effecting the necessary 
repairs after the late cruise. While thus employed, a visit was 
received from a Venezuelan, who in very good English repre- 
sented himself as a messenger or agent of President Castro, now 
in exile at Curacao with four of his cabinet ministers. This emis- 
sary's object was to negotiate a passage in the Sumter for Don 
Castro and some twenty of his officers, with arms, ammunition, 
&c, to the mainland opposite. This proposition, however, Cap- 
tain Semmes politely but very promptly declined, on the grounds, 
firstly, that he was not going in the direction indicated ; and 
secondly, that if he. were, it would be an undue interference on the 
part of a neutral with the revolutionary parties now contending 
for the control of Venezuela. 

" It was remarked," he writes, " that Castro was the de jure 
President ;" to which I replied, "that we did not look into these 
matters, the opposite party being in de facto possession of the 
government." 

At Curacao the Sumter remained until the 24th July, coaling, 
refitting, provisioning, and allowing each of her crew in turn a 
short run on shore, to recruit his spirits and get rid of his super- 
fluous cash. At noon on the 24th she was once more under way, 
leaving behind her, however, one of her seamen, a worthless fellow 
of the name of John Orr, who, enticed away, as was suspected, by 
a Yankee captain and the Yankee keeper of a public-house, took 
the opportunity to make his escape from the ship. The loss, 
however, was not of importance ; and after one of two slight 
attempts to trace him, the Sumter stood out of the harbour and 
shaped her course towards Venezuela. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 25 

Daybreak of the 25th July again presented to the eager eyes on 
board of the Sumter the welcome apparition of a sail. Chase was 
immediately given, and at half-past six the Abby Bradford, from 
New York to Puerto Caballo, was duly seized and taken in tow, 
her Captain proceeding with her upon her original course towards 
Puerto Caballo. It was late before that place was reached, and 
the night was spent standing off and on outside the harbour. 
With the return of day, however, the Sumter ran once more along 
the shore ; and, without waiting for a pilot, steered boldly past 
the group of small, bold-looking islands, and dropped her anchor 
in the port. 

No sooner was the anchor down than the following letter was 
despatched to the Governor, asking permission to leave the prize 
until adjudication : — 

C. S. steamer Sumter, Puerto Caballo, 
July 26th, 1861. 

Sir, — I have the honour to inform your Excellency of my arri- 
val at this port in this ship, under my command, and with the 
prize schooner Abby Bradford, captured by me about seventy 
miles to the northward and eastward. The Abby Bradford is the 
property of citizens of the United States, with which States, as 
your Excellency is aware, the Confederate States, which I have 
the honour to represent, are at war; and the cargo would appear 
to belong also to citizens of the United States, who have shipped 
it on consignment to a house in Puerto Caballo. Should any 
claim be given, however, for the cargo, or any part of it, the ques- 
tion of ownership can only be decided by the Prize Courts of the 
Confederate States. In the meantime, I have tlie honour to re- 
quest that your Excellency will permit me to leave this prize ves- 
sel with her cargo in the port of Puerto Caballo, until the ques- 
tion of prize can be adjudicated by the proper tribunals of my 
country. This will be a convenience to all parties, as well to 
any citizen of Venezuela who may have an interest in the cargo, 
as to the captors, who have also valuable interests to protect. 

In making this reqrest, I do not propose that the Venezuelan 
Government shall depart from a strict neutrality between the bel- 
ligerents ; as the same rule it applies to us, it can give the other 
party the benefit of, also. In other words, with the most scrupu- 
lous regard for the neutrality, she may admit both belligerents to 
bring their prizes into her waters ; and of this neither belligerent 
can complain, since whatever favour is extended to its enemy is 
extended also to itself. 

I have an additional and cogent reason for making this request, 
and that is, that the rule of exclusion, although it might be applied 

2 



26 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

in terms to both belligerents, would not operate equally and justly 
upon them both. It is well known to your Excellency that the 
Northern United States (which are now making an aggressive and 
unjust war upon the Confederate States, denying to the latter the 
right of self-government, which is fundamental in all republics, and 
invading their territories for the purpose of subjugation) are manu- 
facturing and commercial states, whilst the Confederate States 
have been thus far agricultural and planting states ; and that, as a 
consequence of this difference of pursuits, the former States had in 
their possession at the commencement of this war almost all the 
naval force of the old Government, which they have not hesitated 
to seize and appropriate to their own use, although a large propor- 
tion of it belonged of right to the Confederate States, which had 
been taxed to create it. 

By means of this naval force, dishonestly seized as aforesaid, the 
enemy has been enabled to blockade all the important ports of the 
Confederate States. 

This blockade necessarily shuts out the cruisers of the Confede- 
rate States from their own ports, and if foreign Powers shut them 
out also, they can make no other use of their prizes than to de- 
stroy them. Thus your Excellency sees that, under the rule of 
exclusion, the enemy could enjoy his right of capture to its full 
extent, his own ports being all open to him, whilst the cruisers of the 
Confederate States could enjoy it sub modo only, that is, for the 
purpose of destruction. A rule which would produce such effects 
as this is not an equal or a just rule (although it might in terms be 
extended to both parties) ; and as equality and justice are of the 
essence of neutrality, I take it for granted that Venezuela will not 
adopt it. 

On the other hand, the rule admitting both parties alike, with 
their prizes, into your ports, until the Prize Courts of the respec- 
tive countries can have time to adjudicate the cases as they arrive, 
would work equal and exact justice to both ; and this is no more 
than the Confederate States demand. 

With reference to the present case, as the cargo consists chiefly 
of provisions which are perishable, I would ask leave to sell them 
at public auction for the benefit of" whom it may concern," depo- 
siting the proceeds with a suitable prize agent until the decision of 
the court can be known. With regard to the vessel, I request 
that she may remain in the custody of the same agent until con- 
demned and sold. 

I have the honour to be, &c, <fcc. 

(Signed) R. Semmes. 

HiB Exoellency the Governor and Military Commander 
of Puerto Caballo. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 27 

To this, however, that functionary could not be induced to 
assent, his reply being that such a proposition was altogether be- 
yond his province to entertain, and that the Sumter must take her 
departure within four-and twenty hours. At daylight, therefore, 
on the 27th, a prize crew was sent on board of the Abby Bradford, 
with orders to proceed to New Orleans, and at six o'clock the 
Sumter was again outside of the inhospitable port of Puerto Caballo. 

The anchor was not fairly at the cathead when a sail was re- 
ported seaward, which on capture proved to be the barque Joseph 
Maxwell, of Philadelphia. The capture having taken place at 
about seven miles from the port to which she was bound, and half 
of the cargo being the property of a neutral owner, a boat was de^ 
spatched with her master and the paymaster of the Sumter to en- 
deavour to effect negotiation. The proposition was, that the owner 
of the neutral half of the cargo should purchase at a small price 
the remaining half and the vessel herself, which should then be 
delivered to him intact without delay. This little arrangement, 
however, was somewhat summarily arrested by the action of the 
Governor, who, much to Captain Semmes' astonishment, sent off 
orders that the prize should at once be brought into port, there to 
remain in bis Excellency's custody, until a Venezuelan court 
should have decided whether the capture had or had not been 
effected within the marine league from the coast prescribed by in- 
ternational law ! 

This somewhat extraordinary demand did not receive the re- 
spect or obedience on which its promulgator had doubtless relied. 
Beating to quarters, and with his men standing to their guns in 
readiness for instant action, the Sumter stood out once more towards 
her prize ; sent the master and his family ashore in one of his own 
boats, put a prize crew on board the Maxwell, and despatched her 
to a port at the south side of Cuba. It is believed that these un- 
friendly demonstrations on the part of the Governor of Puerto 
Caballo were owing to a fear that the Sumter was in truth em- 
ployed upon some such enterprise as that on which the agent of 
Don Castro at Curacao had vainly endeavoured to engage her, and 
was endeavouring to effect a landing for revolutionary troops. 

The Sumter now again stood away upon her course towards the 
eastward, and at five in the evening came across an hermaphro- 
dite brig, from whose peak floated the hated but welcome stars 
and stripes. This time, however, it was able to wave in safe defi- 
ance before the eyes of the dreaded foe, for the sagacious master 
had kept carefully " within jumping distance" of the shore, and 
the sacred " marine league of neutrality" protected the vessel from 
the fate that had befallen so many of her countrymen. 



28 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

The afternoon of the 28th July found the Sumter off the island 
of Tortuga, and at eleven that evening the ship was hove to in 
thirty-two fathoms of water off the eastern end of Margaritta. 
Two more days' run along the Venezuelan coast, at times in so 
dense a fog that it was necessary to run within a mile of the shore 
in order to "hold on" to the land, and the Gulf of Bahia was 
reached. Following close on the track of a vessel just arrived 
from Madeira, and acquainted with the harbour, the Sumter held 
on her course through the Hnero or Umbrella Passage, and shortly 
after noon anchored off the town of Port of Spain, receiving as she 
did so a salute from the ensign of an English brig passing out of 
the harbour. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Excitement — Taking the bull by the horns — official visits — H.M.S. Cad- 
mus — Captain Semmes 1 commission — At sea again — A dull time — 
Wind and current hostile — Cayenne — French politeness — False hopes 
— At Paramaribo — A hot pursuit — A loyal Yankee — Doubtful secu- 
rity — Not to be beaten — To sea again — A parting arrow. 

The arrival of the Sumter at Port of Spain appeared to create no 
small excitement among the inhabitants, official and non-official, 
of that little colony. The Governor at once proceeded to take 
legal opinion as to the propriety of permitting the suspicious stran- 
ger to coal, and a long leading article in the colonial paper gave 
expression to the editor's serious doubts whether the Sumter were 
really what she represented herself to be, a regularly commissioned 
vessel of war, and not, after all, a privateer. The legal advisers 
of the Governor seem to have reported favourably on Captain 
Semmes' request, for permission was given to take on board the 
requisite supplies, and the Sumter's coaling proceeded, though not 
with much rapidity. 

The morning of the 2nd August introduced on board a visitor 
of a new description. Through the heavy tropical rain which had 
been pouring almost incessantly since the arrival of the Sumter, 
covering the calm \v T ater of the harbour with little dancing jets, 
and drumming on the steamer's decks the most unmusical of tat- 
toos, a little dingy was seen approaching, and in due time brought 
alongside of the Confederate man-of-war the master of a Baltimore 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 29 

brig, which was lying at anchor some little distance off. The 
worthy skipper had heard of the terrible doings of his new neigh- 
bour, and in no little anxiety for his own fate had determined to 
take the bull by the horns, and inquire on board the Sumter her- 
self whether he would be permitted to depart without molestation. 
Great was the poor man's delight when he was hailed as a native 
of a sister State, and informed that Maryland, though compelled 
by superior force to maintain an apparent allegiance to her enemy, 
was still considered a friend by her natural allies of the South, 
and that strict orders had therefore been given to let her commerce 
pass unharmed. With a lightened heart he returned on board 
Lis vessel, and the Baltimore brig went on her way rejoicing. 

The afternoon of the same day brought two more visitors in 
the persons of two English officers in mufti ; but the international 
courtesy did not extend so far as returning the official visit made 
on Captain Seinmes' behalf by Lieutenant Chapman, and Govern- 
ment-house remained unrepresented on board the Sumter. " His 
Excellency," it is to be feared, had taken offence at the slight 
passed upon his official position by Captain Semmes, in not having 
taken care to recover his health and strength sufficiently early to 
be able to make the official visit in person ! 

The morning of the 4th August would have seen the Sumter 
again under way but for some informality in the paymaster's 
vouchers, which had to be rectified ; and during the delay thus 
occasioned, H.M. ship Cadmus entered the harbour, and the Sum- 
ter's departure was postponed with the object of communicating 
with her. Accordingly, a lieutenant was sent on board the new 
arrival, the visit being promptly returned by an officer of similar 
rank from the Cadmus, who, after exchanging the usual civilities, 
delivered himself of a polite message from Captain Hillyer, to the 
effect, that as the Sumter was the first vessel he had as yet fallen 
in with under the flag of the Confederate States, he would be 
obliged if Captain Semmes would favor him with a sight of his 
commission. To this, of course, the latter had no objection ; and 
the demands of courtesy having been satisfied by the previous 
production of the English lieutenant's commission, that of Captain 
Semmes was duly exhibited, and the ceremonial visitor departed. 

The next morning brought Captain Hillyer himself on board, 
and a long conversation ensued on the war and various kindred 
topics, the English Captain leaving behind him a most agreeable 
impression. The visit over, steam was once more got up on board 
the Sumter, and at 1 p.m. she steamed out through the eastern or 
Mona Island passage, and running down the picturesque coast, 
with its mountain sides uncultivated but covered with numerous 



30 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

huts, passed at ten o'clock that evening between Trinidad and 
Tobago, and entered once more upon the broad North Atlantic. 

For some days the time now hung somewhat heavily upon the 
hands of the little community. A solitary brigantine only was 
seen, and she so far to windward, that with the short supply of 
coal afforded by the not overscrupulous merchants of Port of Spain, 
it was not thought worth while to incur the expense and delay of 
a chase. The Sumter was now terribly in need of an excitement. 
Not a living thing was in sight, but the glittering schools of flying 
fish which ever and anon darted into view, and skimming rapidly 
over their surface sank again beneath the waves, only to be once 
more driven for a brief refuge to the upper air by their unseen but 
relentless enemies below. Drill and exercise were now the order 
of the day during the hours of light, and as the sun set and the 
tropic night came rushing swiftly up over the yet glowing sky, 
chessboards and backgammon-boards were brought out, and dis- 
cussions, social, political, and literary, divided the long hours of 
inaction with the yarn and the song, and other mild but not inef- 
fectual distractions of life at sea. 

Still it was with feelings of no small satisfaction that " green 
water" was again reached, and the Sumter found herself within 
about ninety miles of the (Dutch) Guiana coast. Hopes were 
now entertained of soon reaching Maranham, but the next day 
showed them to be fallacious. A strong northerly current had 
set in, and, in addition to this drawback, it was discovered that 
the defalcations of the Port of Spain coal merchants were more 
serious than had been supposed, and there was not sufficient fuel 
left for the run. Next day matters were worse rather than better. 
The northerly current was running at the extraordinary rate of 
sixty miles in the twenty-four hours, a speed equal to that of the 
Gulf Stream in its narrowest part. Only three days' fuel remain- 
ed, and making allowance for the northerly set, there were fully 
550 miles to be accomplished before Maranham could be reached. 

Still the Sumter held patiently on her course in hopes of a 
change ; but no change came. Wind and current were as hostile 
as ever, and the observations of the 11th August giving lat. 
2°38' N., long. 47°48' W., the question of the voyage to 
Maranham, or even to Para, appeared definitely settled, and letting 
his fires go down, Captain Semmes put up his helm, made all 
sail, and stood away on a N.W. course, hoping to find a fresh 
supply of coal at some of the port* of Guiana under his lee. 

The afternoon of that day saw the sky clear, the sea almost 
calm, and the little Sumter, rolling along on the long, lazy swell, 
with all her starboard studding-sails set, at about three or four 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 81 

knots an hour, towards Cape Orange, from which point it was 
intended to make her way into Cayenne. 

Here she arrived on the 15th Angust, but her hopes were 
again doomed to disappointment. On coming to anchor, officers 
were at once despatched with the usual complimentary messages 
to the Governor, and a request to be informed whether the vessel 
could be supplied with coal. These officers, however, were not 
permitted to land, the reason given being, that they were without 
a clean bill of health from their last port. It was in vain to 
represent the perfect state of health of the crew, and the length 
of time they had been at sea. The official mind was closed 
against any argument but that of the consigne. Five days' 
quarantine were ordered, and five days' quarantine must be under- 
gone, before the salubrious shores of Cayenne could be exposed to 
the danger of infection from the new comers ; and as the author- 
ities accompanied this fiat with the statement, that there was no 
coal to be had in the place even for the supply of their own 
government vessels, our captain determined to make no further 
trial upon the discussion, but to seek his supplies elsewhere. 

The afternoon of the next day brought the Sumter to the coast 
of (Dutch) Guiana ; but there being no pilot to be found, she 
was compelled to come to an anchor in about four fathoms of 
water. Here, as the sun set, the dark smoke of a steamer was 
discovered against the glowing sky, and suspicion was at once 
aroused that the new comer must be a Yankee cruiser on the 
look-out for the Confederate "pirates." The drums beat to 
quarters on board of the little Sumter ; decks were cleared for 
action ; ports were triced up, guns run out, and every preparation 
made to give the supposed enemy a warm reception. Darkness 
had closed in as the suspected vessel approached ; the thump, 
thump, thump of her screw sounding plainly on the still night 
air. Silently she approached the watchful cruiser, steering com- 
pletely round her anchorage, as though herself suspicious of the 
character of her new companion. No hostile demonstration, 
however, followed ; the night was too dark to distinguish friend 
from foe ; and the strange sail having come to anchor at some 
little distance from the Sumter, and evincing no disposition to 
assume the offensive, the guns were run in again, and the men 
were at length dismissed to the hammocks. 

Early next morning steam was again got up on board the 
Confederate cruiser, which ran down under French colours - for 
a closer examination of the stranger, who was lying quietly at 
anchor about two miles in-shore of her. As the Sumter ap- 
proached she also mounted the tricolor, at the sight of which the 



32 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

pretended nationality of the cruiser was laid aside, and the stars 
and bars flew out gaily from her mizen-peak. The Frenchman 
appeared much pleased at having thus fallen in with the cele- 
brated Sumter; and being, like her, bound into Paramaribo, and 
of considerably lighter draught, invited her to follow him into the 
river, where a pilot might be obtained. 

Arrived in Paramaribo the Sumter received tidings of the 
United States steamer Keystone State, which had been "in 
pursuit" of her for some time. This vessel was not very much 
larger than the Sumter, and their crews and armaments were 
very nearly equal, so there were great hopes on board the Con- 
federate of a brush with the enemy on something like equal terms. 
These hopes, however, like so many others, were doomed to 
disappointment. By some fatality the Keystone State could never 
manage to come up with her quarry. While the latter had been 
coaling at Trinidad, she was performing a similar operation at 
Barbados, arriving thence at Trinidad after the Sumter had sailed. 
From this port she again started " in pursuit," but her chances 
of overtaking her enemy may perhaps have been somewhat 
affected by the fact, that on learning that the Sumter had started 
eastward, she at once followed upon a westerly track, which, 
doubtless to the great grief of her commander and crew, somehow 
failed to bring her alongside of the vessel of which she was in 
search.* 

But if the United States war vessels were somewhat eccentric 
in their notion of a hot pursuit, it must be admitted that the 
United States consuls and other agents on shore were by no 
means equally scrupulous. Every possible expedient to prevent 
the Sumter from obtaining the necessary supplies of coal was tried 
by the consul at Paramaribo, but with less success than his stre- 
nuous exertions deserved. His first idea was to buy up all the 
coal in the port, and a handsome price was offered — in bonds on 
the United States government — for that purpose. But with sin- 
gular blindness to their own interests the merchants of Paramaribo 
declined to put their trust in these bonds, and the ready money 
not being forthcoming the hopeful scheme was compelled to be 
abandoned. Undismayed by this first failure, the gallant Yankee 

* The writer of the Notes in the Index remarks on this curious proceed- 
ing: — " Rather a strange idea we thought. It put us in mind of a sports- 
man in California who was very anxious to kill a grisly bear. At length 
he found the trail, and after following it for some hours gave it up and 
returned to camp. On being questioned why he did not follow in pursuit, 
he quietly replied that the trail was getting too fresh. It must have been so 
with the Keystone State — the trail was getting too fresh." 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 33 

next sought to charter all the lighters by which the coal could be 
conveyed on board, and here he was very nearly successful. One 
or two of the owners however declined to be bought up, and 
in the lighters supplied by them the process of coaling com- 
menced. Still the persevering consul was not to be beaten. 
Failing the owners of the contumacious barges, their crews were 
yet accessible to the gentle influences at his command, and some 
forty tons of coal found their way to the bottom of the harbour, 
instead of to the Sumter's bunkers for which they had been des- 
tined. 

At length, however, in spite of both active Yankee and dilatory 
Dutchmen, the operation was completed, and the little Sumter 
once more ready for sea. Even now, however, she was not to get 
away without a parting arrow from her indefatigable enemy. On 
the morning of her proposed departure the captain's negro servant 
went on shore as usual for the day's marketing, when he was way- 
laid by the worthy Yankee and persuaded indefinitely to postpone 
his return. Poor fellow ! if his fate was anything like that of 
thousands of others "set free" by their so-called friends of the 
North, he must have long ere this most bitterly repented his 
desertion. 

There was no time, however, to spare for searching after the 
runaway, so after a brief conference with the authorities, who were 
apparently not over anxious for his arrest, the Sumter got up steam 
and once more proceeded in the direction of Maranham. 



CHAPTER V. 

Leave Paramaribo — Across the equator — A day of misfortunes — On a 
sandbank — A narrow escape — Maranham — A Yankee protest — Bold 
asswtions — A visit to the President — News — False alarms — Paying 
Ufa — A patriot— Off again — A prize — The Joseph Park — News of 
Bull Run — A sad birthday. 

A whole month had thus been lost through the failure of the 
Sumter's coal off the mouth of the Amazon. News, too, had been 
received at Paramaribo that six or seven large fast steamers were 
in hot pursuit; and as it was not likely that all of these — the 
larger, perhaps, more especially — would adopt the tactics of the 
Keystone State, it was an object with the solitary little object of 

2* 



34 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

their vengeance to make the best of her way to some safer cruising 
ground. 

On the 31st August, then, she took her final leave of Parama- 
ribo, and running some eight or nine miles off the coast in a 
northerly direction as a blind, altered her course to east half-south, 
with the intention of avoiding the current by which she had on 
the former occasion been so baffled, by keeping along the coast 
in soundings where its strength would be less felt. 

The 4th September found her well past the mouth of the Ama- 
zon, bowling along under all fore-and-aft sails, with bright, clear 
weather, and a fresh trade-wind from about east by south. This 
was about her best point of sailing, and there being no longer any 
current against her, her log showed a run of 175 miles in the 
twenty-four hours. On the same day a strange sail was seen, but 
time and coal were now too valuable to be risked, and the tempta- 
tion to chase was resisted. In the evening the equator was crossed, 
and the little Sumter bade farewell to the North Atlantic, and 
entered on a new sphere of operations. 

The 5th September was a day of misfortunes. The weather 
was thick and lowering; the wind rapidly increasing to half a 
gale, and the little vessel straining heavily at her anchor. In 
heaving up, a sudden jerk broke it short off at the shank, the 
metal about the broken part proving to have been very indifferent. 
She now ran very cautiously and anxiously towards the light, and 
into the bay, no pilot being in sight. For some time all went 
well, and the chief dangers appeared to be over, when suddenly 
the vessel ran with a heavy shock upon a sandbank, knocking off 
a large portion of her false keel, and for the moment occasioning 
intense anxiety to all on board. Fortunately, however, the bank 
was but a narrow ridge, and the next sea carried the little vessel 
safely across it, and out of danger. Much speculation, however, 
was excited by this unlooked-for mishap, but a careful examination 
of the ship's position on the chart failed to elucidate the mystery { 
the part of the bay where the Sumter had struck being marked 
as clear ground. It was fortunate, at all events, that the vessel 
escaped clear, for within the next hour and a half the tide fell 
five feet, which with so heavy a load as that on board the Sumter 
could not but have occasioned a terrible strain had she been lying 
on the top of the bank. 

Finding the soundings still so irregular as to threaten further 
danger, the Sumter now came to an anchor, and some fishing 
boats being perceived on the shore at a little distance, a boat was 
despatched which speedily returned with a fisherman, who piloted 
her safely to the town of Maranham. She was visited by a Bra- 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 85 

zilian naval officer, who congratulated her captain not a little on 
his fortunate escape, the Brazilian men-of war never thinking of 
attempting the passage without a coast pliot. 

The day following that on which the Sumter arrived at Maran- 
hara was the Brazilian Independence Day. The town put on its 
gayest appearance ; men-of war and merchantmen tricked them- 
selves out with flags from deck to truck, while the guns of the 
former thundered a salute across the ordinarily quiet bay. Amidst 
their universal demonstration the Sumter alone remained unmoved. 
The nation whose flag she bore had not yet been recognised by 
the Brazilian government, and it would therefore have been the 
height of incongruity to sport the slightest bunting on such an 
occasion. The more so as the good folks of Maranham, though 
to all appearance personally well disposed towards the Confede- 
rates, were in such dread of officially committing themselves, that 
they did not venture to invite the officers of the newly-arrived 
vessel to the grand ball given by the authorities in honour of the 
day. 

On Monday, the 9th September, Captain Semmes took up his 
quarters on shore, and proceeded to make a formal call on the 
President of the Department. That functionary, however, plead- 
ed indisposition, appointing the hour of noon on the following day 
for the desired interview. Meanwhile Captain Semmes had hardly 
returned to his comfortable quarters at the Hotel do Porto, ere he, 
in his turn, received a visit from Captain Pinto of the Brazilian 
navy, and the Chief of Police, a confidential friend of the Presi- 
dent — the object of these gentlemen being to read to him a formal 
protest from the consul of the United States to the government, 
against the Sumter's being permitted to receive coal or other sup- 
plies in the port. Amongst other equally bold statements this 
document asserted that the Confederate cruiser had not been per- 
mitted to enter the ports of any other European power. Asser- 
tions like these were of course easily disposed of, and it was agreed 
that the question should be discussed at the morrow's interview. 
The account of this discussion had, perhaps, better be given in 
Captain Semmes' own words : — 

Tuesday, September 11th. — Called upon the President at twelve, 
and was admitted to an interview ; the Chief of Police and Cap- 
tain Pinto being present. I exhibited to the President my com- 
mission, and read to him a portion of my instructions, to show him 
that it was the desire of the Confederate States to cultivate friendly 
relations with other powers, and to pay particular respect to neu- 
tral property and rights; and the better to satisfy him that he 
might supply me with coal without a departure from neutrality, 



36 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AHP THE SUMTER. 

and to contradict the false sentiments of the United States Con- 
sul, I exhibited to him a newspaper from Trinidad, setting forth 
the fact that the question of the propriety of supplying me with 
coal in that island, had been formally submitted to the law officers 
of the Crown, and decided in my favour, &c. 

The President then announced to me that I might purchase 
whatever supplies I wanted, coal included, munitions of war only 
excepted. I then stated to him that this war was in fact a war as 
much in behalf of Brazil as of ourselves, and that if we were 
beaten in the contest, Brazil would be the next one to be assailed 
by Yankee propagandists. These remarks were favourably re- 
ceived, the three gentlemen evidently sympathizing with us. 

Captain Semmes continues his short diary as follows : — 

Fresh wind and cloudy. Painting ship, and making prepara- 
tions for the reception of coal. We are looking anxiously for the 
arrival of the Rio mail steamer, as we have a report brought by a 
Portuguese vessel from Pernambuco that a great battle has been 
fought ; that we have beaten the enemy ; and that we have 
marched upon Washington. God grant that our just cause may 
thus have triumphed ! The whole town is agog discussing our 
affairs. Different parties take different views of them : the op- 
position party in the legislature, which is in session, being disposed 
to censure the government for its reception of us. 

Thursday, September 12th. — Clear, with passing clouds; trade- 
wind fresh, as usual at this season of the year. Indeed, these 
winds will continue to increase in force until December, when they 
will gradually give place to the rains. It has been a favourite 
project of mine from the commencement of the cruise, to run off 
Cape St. Roque, and there waylay the commerce of the enemy in 
its transit both ways ; but the strong gales and strong current which 
now prevail, will interfere for the present with my plan, and I 
must postpone it for awhile. If the war continues I shall hope to 
put it in execution at the proper time. It was at one time reported 
to-day that there were two United States vessels of war awaiting 
us outside, off Santa Anna ; but the report proved to be the off- 
spring of the excited imaginations of the townspeople. Had a 
conversation this evening with Senor Rodrigues, an intelligent 
lawyer and the Speaker of the Deputies, on the subject of the 
war. I found him pretty well informed,' considering that he had 
received his information through the polluted channels of the 
Northern newspapers. 

He seemed to think that we had been precipitate in breaking 
off our connexion with the North ; but I told him we had been 
the most patient, long-suffering people in the world, and waited 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 87 

till the last moment possible, in hope that the fanaticism which 
swayed the North would have passed away ; and that the respon- 
sibility of breaking up the once great government of the North 
rested entirely upon the propagandists of that section. 

Friday, September \3th. — Cloudy, with the wind very fresh 
from the eastward. The town is still busy discussing our affairs. 
A deputy asked me seriously yesterday if the President had not 
ordered me to haul my Hag down, as not being recognised. He 
said that the Assembly had called upon him for an explanation of 
the course he had adopted towards us, but that he had declined to 
respond. 

It is reported, too, that there are two ships of war awaiting us 
outside near the Santa Anna light. 

Saturday, September 14*A. — Cloudy, with fresh trades. Hav- 
ing finished coaling and receiving our other snpplies, we are 
engaged to-day in paying off our bills. I have been enabled to 
negotiate a draft for two thousand dollars upon the Secretary of 
the Navy ; Mr. T. Wetson, one of our fellow-countrymen tempo- 
rarily here, having been patriotic enough to advance me this sum 
on the faith of his government. He not only thus aided us, but 
was very anxious to come on board in person, if he could have 
wound up his business in time. In the evening at V p.m. I re- 
moved on board from the Hotel do Porto, preparatory to going to 
sea to-morrow. 

On Sunday, the I5th September, the Sumter was again under 
way, and passed out of the harbour in charge of a pilot, Mr. Wet- 
son accompanying her until she was fairly outside. No Yankee 
vessels were found, as had been reported, and the pilot being 
discharged, and a warm farewell exchanged with Mr. Wetson, the 
Sumter stood away upon a north-east course in the direction of 
her proposed cruising-ground in the- calm belt between the trades, 
the Cape San Roque project being for the present abandoned. 
A dull time now commenced, great difficulty being experienced 
in forcing the vessel towards her cruising-ground against the cur- 
rent, which at times would carry her out of her course at the rate 
of more than fifty miles a day. Whilst thus beating wearily and 
patiently towards the station where it was hoped that more prizes 
might be obtained, a curious phenomenon was observed, of which 
the following account is given in the journal : — 

Monday, September 23d— Clear, with passing clouds. Wind 
right from the south-east, veering and hauling two or three points. 
We have experienced in the last two or three days a remarkable 
euccession of tide lips, coming on every twelve hours, and about 



38 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

an hour before the passage of the moon over the meridian. We 
have observed five of these lips, and with such regularity, that we 
attribute them to the lunar influence attracting the water in an 
opposite direction from the prevailing current, which is east, at the 
rate of some two miles per hour. We had a small gull fly on 
board of us to-day at the distance of five hundred miles from the 
nearest land. The tide lips came up from the south and travelled 
north, approaching first with a heavy swell, which caused us, be- 
ing broadside on, to roll so violently that we kept the ship off" her 
course from two to three points to bring the roller more on the 
quarter. These rollers would be followed by a confused tumul- 
tuous sea, foaming and fretting in every direction, as if we were 
among breakers. We were in fact among breakers, though for- 
tunately with no bottom near. No boat could have lived in such 
a cauldron as was produced by this meeting of the waters. They 
generally passed us in about three quarters of an hour, when 
everything became comparatively smooth again. No observation 
to-day for latitude, but by computation we are in latitude 5.25 N. 
and longitude (chronometer) 42.19 W. Current east by north 
58 miles. So curious were the phenomena of the lips that the 
officers and men came on deck upon their approach to witness 
them. 

It was many a long week now since the sight of an enemy had 
gladdened the eyes of the Sumter's little crew, when, on the 25th 
of September, the welcome cry of " Sail, ho !" was once more 
heard from the mast-head. Steam was at once got up, and the 
United States colors displayed from the Confederate cruiser. A 
short pause of expectation, an eager scrutiny of the stranger, as 
the blue and red bunting fluttered for a few moments upon his 
deck, while his men were busy with the signal halyards, and then 
a joyous cheer greeted the well-known stars and stripes, as they 
rose above her bulwarks, and mounted slowly to her mizen peak. 

She was not a very valuable prize, being merely a small brigan- 
tine, called the Joseph Park, of Boston, six days out from Pernam- 
buco, in ballast. But she was the first fruits of a fresh cruise, and 
right joyously did the boat's crew pull on board her to haul down 
the enemy's flag, and replace it with the saucy stars and bars.* 

* The author of the " Notes " in the Index writes : — 

" The officer who boarded the Joseph Park asked the captain if he had 
cargo. 'No.' — 'Have you auy specie?' 'Not a dollar.' — ' Then, captain, 
you must get into the boat, and go with me on board the Sumter.' ' What 
are you going to do with me when I get on board ?' The officer told him it 
would depend entirely upon circumstances ; that it he behaved himself, and 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER, 39 

This done, the crew were transferred to the captain's vessel, and a 
prize crew passed on board of the Joseph Park, with instructions 
to keep within sight of the Sumter, and signal her immediately on 
perceiving any suspicious sail. So the two cruised for some clays 
in company, the Joseph Park keeping to windward during the 
day, and at night running down under cover of the Sumter's guns. 
This capture was none the less welcome for the news she 
brought in a file of recent papers from Pernambuco, of the first 
victory of the South at Manassas, or Bull Run, as well as of the 
successes achieved in Missouri over the troops of General Lyon. 
Poor Joseph Park ! she had little anticipated her fate, and not a 
little amusement was created among her captors by an entry in 
her log of the day after leaving Pernambuco : — "We have a tight, 
fast vessel, and we don't care for Jeff. Davis !" " My unfortunate 
prisoner," remarks Captain Semmes, " had holloa'd before he was 
out of the wood." 

The journal continues : — 

Friday, September 2lih. — This is my fifty-second birthday, and 
so the years roll on, one by one, and I am getting to be an old 
man ! Thank God, that I am still able to render service to my 
country in her glorious struggle for the right of self-government, 
and in defence of her institutions, her property, and everything a 
people hold sacred. We have thus far beaten the Vandal hordes 
that have invaded and desecrated our soil ; and we shall continue 
to beat them to the end. The just God of Heaven, who looks 
down upon the quarrels of men, will avenge the right. May we 
prove ourselves in this struggle worthy of Him and of our great 
cause ! My poor distressed family ! How fondly my thoughts 
revert to them to-day ! My dear wife and daughters, instead of 
preparing the accustomed " cake " to celebrate my birthday, are 
mourning my absence, and dreading to hear of disaster. May our 
Heavenly Father console, cherish, and protect them ! 

did not try to conceal anything, he would receive kind treatment ; that it all 
depended upon himself. • Well,' said he, ' captain ' (he called the officer who 
had boarded him captain) ' I have got a thousand dollars down below, and I 
guess I had better give it to you.' So he went below, and from out of some 
little hole took the bag containing the gold. The officer asked him why he 
had hidden the money, as we had the United States colours up. Be said he 
thought it was the Sumter, and wanted to be on the safe side. The whole 
scene between the officer and the captain of the Joseph Park was ludicrous 
in the extreme. The answers to questions with that Yankee nasal twang 
and Yankee cunning, the officer seeing through it and enjoying it all the 
while, made many jokes in our mess afterwards." 



40 CKU1SE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 



CHAPTER VI. 

A dull time — u Sail, oh-h—h /" — An exciting chase — No prize — A gale — 
Jack's holiday — A new cruiiing-ground — Dead calm — An enlightened 
Frenchman — A near thing — Patience ! — The Daniel Trowbridge — A 
lucky haul — In closer — Double Duns —The prize schooners revenge — 
Good nexus from home — An apology — In hopes of a fight — Disappoint- 
ment — The West India station— Another blank — Martinique. 

Another dull time now set in. On the 28th September the 
prize crew were recalled from the Joseph Park, which, after doing 
duty for some hours longer as a look-out ship, was finally at night- 
fall, set on fire, and burned to the water's edge. And now day 
after day passed by, unrelieved save by the little common inci- 
dents of a peaceful voyage. 

One day it would be a living-fish that had leaped on board, and 
paid the penalty of its indiscretion by doing duty next morning 
on the captain's breakfast-table; another day a small sword-fish 
performed a similar exploit ; while on a third a heavy rain provided 
the great unwashed of the forecastle with the unaccustomed luxury 
of copious ablutions in fresh water. But not a sail was to be 
seen. Once only a simultaneous cry from half-a-dozen sailors of 
" Light on the starboard bow !" produced a temporary excitement, 
and caused the engineers to " fire up" at their utmost speed. But 
the alarm proved false. The red light that had been so confidently 
reckoned on as the port lantern of some steamer moving across 
the Sumter's bows, was at length set down as a mere meteor, or it 
might be some star setting crimson through the dim haze of the 
distant horizon. Luck seemed quite to have deserted the Con- 
federate flag. They were lying in the very track of vessels 
between San Roque and New York. Allowing a space of seventy- 
five miles on either side of the Sumter's station as the extent of 
this track, and calculating upon a radius of observation from her 
masthead of fifteen miles, one-fifth of the whole number passing 
should certainly have come within her ken. Yet in the course of 
seventeen weary days one vessel only had been seen, and the 
Sumter's stock of patience was beginning to run very low. 

At length, at ten o'clock on the morning of the 5th October, 
the welcome cry was again heard. " Sail, oh — h — h !" was 
shouted from the masthead with a lengthened emphasis, as though 
the look-out would mark the unusual fact with a special note of 
admiration. The stranger was dead to windward, and miles away, 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 41 

probably some seventeen or eighteen at the very least. But not a 
moment was lost in starting in pursuit. Steam was got up, sails 
furled, the vessel's head brought round in the direction of the 
chase, and in less than half an hour from the first announcement 
of her appearance, the Sumter was dashing through the water at 
top-speed in pursuit. 

The chase was long and animated. At first starting the stranger 
had all the advantage of a stiff, steady breeze, whilst the Sumter 
was compelled to trust altogether to her powers of steaming ; and 
the former, being a fine, fast vessel, appeared, if anything, rather 
to gain upon her pursuer. Gradually, however, as the two vessels 
changed their relative bearings, the Sumter also was enabled to 
avail herself of her fore and aft canvas, and now she began to 
gain rapidly upon the chase. Three hours and a quarter passed 
in this exciting contest ; but at length the pursuer had come fairly 
within range, and the chase was over. Up went the Stars and 
Stripes to the Sumter's peak, and the usual pause of excited ex- 
pectation ensued ; when, after bungling awhile with his signal 
halyards, as though playing with his pursuer's hopes and fears, the 
red ensign of England rose defiantly from the deck, and there was 
to be no prize after all. 

Very indignant was the captain of the Spartan at being hove-to 
by a Yankee, and great was the amusement of the boarding officer 
as he was welcomed with the observation that "the Northerners 
were catching h " 

" How so ?" inquired he. 

"Why by getting themselves so badly whipped by the South- 
erners." 

It was observed that the worthy speaker appeared somewhat 
surprised at the perfect good-humour and satisfaction with which 
the intelligence was received. 

The night now set in wet and wild. The wind increased to a 
moderate gale with a remarkably heavy sea, and violent rain- 
squalls passing at intervals over the vessel. The little Sumter 
rolled and pitched about as though she, too, were weary of the 
long period of inaction, and determined to effect some kind of 
diversion on her own account. Morning broke heavy and threat- 
ening, with the barometer at 29*87 ; and by noon it was blowing 
a whole gale, and the ship labouring so heavily that the ceremony 
of mustering the hands and reading the Articles of War, cus- 
tomary on the first Sunday of every month, was perforce dispensed 
with, and "Jack" — as usual, when bad weather has fairly set in, 
and the ship has been made snug — got his holiday. 

Towards night the gale, which had hauled gradually round 



42 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

from E.N.E. to S.E. and S.S.E. in the course of some eight or ten 
hours, began to moderate. ])y the next morning it had altogether 
broken, and though the clouds were still leaden, and the sea ran 
high after the blow of yesterday, the Sumter was once more able 
to make sail ; and shaking the reefs out of her topsails, she stood 
away again towards the S.S.E. 

The end of the week saw her well upon her way towards a new 
cruising ground, the Western side of the crossing having been 
fairly given up as a hopeless job, and Captain Semmes shaping 
his course for the Eastern crossing. At noon on Saturday, the 
12th October, the new station was reached, the vessel's position on 
that day being in lat. 6.56 N., long. 44.41 W. ; the weather calm, 
the sun shining dimly through a greyish veil of mist, and the 
little steamer rolling from side to side upon the long, heaving 
swells, her yards creaking and her sails flapping heavily against 
the masts with that dull, hopeless sound, more trying to the sailor 
than the fiercest gale. 

Gales and calms — sunshine and rain-squalls — long rolling swell 
— heavy sea, and not a break in the monotonous round. Thirty- 
eight days out, and in all that time but two vessels spoken and one 
solitary prize! 

Thursday, October 24ih. — Cloudy, with the wind from the east- 
ward. At half-past six in the morning descried a sail in the 
north east. Got up steam and gave chase. At nine came up 
with a brig, which proved to be a Frenchman, La Mouche Noire, 
from Nantes to Martinique. Sent a boat on board of him. lie 
had no newspapers, and said he knew the United States were at 
war — we had the United States colours flying — but with whom he 
did not know. Enlightened Frenchman ! Or this may teach us 
a lesson of humility, as showing us how little is thought in Europe 
of the American Revolution. The brig was a clumsy specimen of 
architecture, and was out forty-two days. We detained her less 
than half-an-hour, and permitted her to go on her course a^ain. 
Our ill-luck seems to culminate; for two out of the only three sail 
we have seen in thirty-nine days have proved to be foreign. 

Friday, October 25th. — Fresh breeze from the north, and trade- 
wind weather. Morning, a few rain-squalls, clearing, but with 
passing clouds, as the sun gained altitude. Afternoon heavy, 
overcast sky, with half a gale of wind. At 2.50 p.m. descried a 
sail on the starboard-quarter, bearing about S.E. Got up steam 
and gave chase, and at 5 p.m. came up with her. Fired a blank 
cartridge and spoke a Prussian ship, which I caused to heave-to 
for the purpose of sending a boat on board of him ; but, as in the 
meantime the wind freshened, and considerable sea had arisen, 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 43 

and as I had no doubts of the character of the ship, I gave him 
leave to fill away and proceed on his course (to some one of the 
Windward Islands) without boarding him. As I was rounding 
the ship to, near this vessel, we came so near a collision that my 
heart stood still for a moment as the bows of the huge, heavy- 
laden ship passed our quarter, almost near enough to graze it. 
If she had been thrown upon us by one of the heavy seas that 
were running, we should probably have been cut down to the 
water's edge and sunk in a few minutes. This will give me a 
lesson as to the space my long ship requires to turn in when she 
has a sea on the quarter or bow. We are forty days out to-day, 
have seen four sails, and three of the four have proved to be 
foreign. I am not discouraged, however, but I have had an 
excellent opportunity to practise the Christian virtue of patience, 
which virtue I think I am a little deficient in. 

Sunday, October 27 th. — A beautiful clear day, with a light 
breeze from the E.N.E., and a few summer-like passing trade- 
clouds. Mustered the crew. Two sail in one day ! 8.30 a.m. 
A sail was descried in the S.E. We immediately gave chase with 
all sail, and added steam to sails in about an hour and a half. We 
came up with the chase about 3 p.m. ; the vessel proving very fast. We 
showed, as usual, the United States colours, the chase showing the 
same. Fired a blank cartridge and ordered him to heave-to. 
Sent a boat on board and captured him, hauling down .the United 
States and hoisting our own flag as our officer got on board. She 
proved to be the schooner Daniel Trowbridge, of New Baven, Con- 
necticut, from New York to Demerara, with a cargo of provisions ; 
cargo belonging to same owner as vessel, D. Trowbridge, of Con- 
necticut. Sent a prize crew on board, and left in pursuit of ano- 
ther sail that had been descried in the meantime, with which we 
came up at dark. She proved to be a brigantine from Nova Scotia 
to Demerara (English). Permitted her to proceed on her course. 
Banked fires, and put the ship under sail, with a light at the peak, 
and the prize in company. 

Monday, October 28th. — Fine clear weather, with a moderate 
sea and a light breeze. Called the prize within hail ; hoisted out 
the long-boat and sent her alongside and commenced receiving 
provisions. I felt truly thankful to a kind Providence for this 
windfall, for we were running short of provisions — beef bad, and 
weevily bread. And here were more than we needed, and of the 
best. Pork, beef, hams, flour, bread, crackers (biscuits), &c. ; 
this was truly a Yankee cargo, there being a large number of 
pigs, sheep, and geese on board. A busy, bustling day, with 
boats passing to and fro, and men busy on both ships with boxes, 



44 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

barrels, &c. To get at the cargo we threw overboard the super- 
incumbent articles, and strewed the sea with Connecticut wooden 
ware and brooms. 

Tuesday, October 29th. — Another favourable day for unloading 
the prize. Wind light from the East, and not too much sea on. We 
are filling up with five months' provisions. In the meantime we 
are enjoying the luxury, far away out at sea and forty-three days 
from port, of fresh meat; the sheep on board the prize being in 
excellent condition, and I have them slaughtered in sufficient 
numbers for the crew. At noon the sky becoming overcast ; lat. 
16.54 N., long. 57.33 W. 

Wednesday, October 30th. — A beautiful serene day, with a 
light breeze from the S.E. and a smooth sea. At 7 a.m., " Sail, 
ho !" from aloft. Despatched a couple of boats to the prize 
schooner to bring away some of the live stock, and sent orders to 
the prize master to set fire to the prize and return on board. 
These orders being all executed and the boats run up, at 8.30, 
steamed in pursuit of the strange sail. At eleven came up with, 
and sent a boat on board of the Danish brig Una, from Copen- 
hagen to Santa Cruz, sixty-nine days out. Permitted her to pro- 
ceed on her course after a detention of about half-an-hour. We 
showed her the United States colours. This evening, having 
directed the junior lieutenant to send to the master of the prize 
schooner Daniel Trowbridge, for the log slates of the schooner 
which he, the master, had put among his private baggage, it was 
reported to me that the master in delivering these articles to the 
messenger, the sergeant of marines, used this insolent language — 
" D — them. I hope they will do them no good, and if they want 
a shirt I can lend them that too." I had the man seized and put 
in double irons. Lat. 16.40 N., long. 58.16 W. 

Thursday, October 31st. — Beautiful clear weather, with a light 
breeze from the North and East. Got up and sunned the ball 
cartridges, some of which had been damaged by the damp, and 
overhauled the pumps which had gotten out of order. At 2 a.m. 
a light having been reported to me, I ordered steam gotten up and 
made pursuit. As we came up with it, we found it to be a burning 
fragment of the schooner which we had fired eighteen hours be- 
fore. Banked fires. We have been greatly interested since our 
last capture in examining a lot of newspapers found on board. 
They are as late as the 8th October, and give us most cheering 
accounts of the war. We have gloriously whipped the enemy at 
all points, and have brought Missouri and Kentucky out of the 
Union. The tone pf the European press is highly favourable to 
our cause, and indicates a prompt recognition of our independence. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 45 

And all this cheering information we get from the enemy himself! 
Lat. 16.54 N., long. 57.59 W. The master of the prize schooner 
Trowbridge, having made a very humble apology for his conduct of 
yesterday, and asked to be released from confinement, I directed 
him to be discharged from close custody and to have his irons 
taken off. 

The Daniel Trowbridge, however, was the last prize that fell 
to the Sumter's lot on this cruise. She was now in the full track 
of vessels crossing the Line, and scarcely a day passed without one 
or more being overhauled ; but the Stars and Stripes appeared to 
have vanished from the seas. Vessel after vessel was brought-to, 
now English, now French, now belonging to some one or other of 
the innumerable neutral nations, but not a Yankee was to be seen, 
and the ship's company began almost to weary of their profitless task. 

One brief morning's excitement there was, as a large steamer 
was descried in the offing, evidently a man-of-war. All was at 
once alive and eager on board the little Sumter. The drums beat 
to quarters, decks were cleared for action, and every preparation 
made for combat, as the Confederate cruiser stood boldly out to 
meet her expected foe. But again the eager crew were doomed to 
disappointment. They were no more to fight than to capture 
prizes. As the stranger drew near, the white ensign of St. George 
fluttered gracefully to her peak, and after the customary interchange 
of civilities, the two vessels went on their respective courses, and 
the little Sumter was once more alone on the wide ocean. 

A change of cruising ground was now again resolved on, and a 
course shaped for the West Indies. Still, however, without suc- 
cess, and at length the supply of water beginning to fail, the 
cruise was abandoned, and on the 9th November the Sumter 
steamed into Fort de France in Martinique, having been fifty-seven 
days at sea. 



CHAPTER VII. 

A French governor — At church — Visitors — On shore — Prisoners re- 
leased — Coaling difficulties — Sympathy for the South — A glass of 
grog! — St. Pierre — Curiosity — The Iroquois — An attempt to inti- 
midate — V Acheron — Yankee notion of neutrality — Masquerading — 
Preparations for a fight — The marine league — The Trent outrage 
— On the watch — Violation of rights — A bold attempt — Success. 

Saturday, Nov. 9th. — Weather fine during the morning. At 
daylight, got up steam and stood in for the land northward of 



46 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

Fort St. Louis' Bay, running down the coast as we approached. 
The coast, all the way into the anchorage, is bold and clear. Ran 
within three hundred yards of Point Negro, passing a passenger 
steamer bound to St. Pierre, and anchored in six fathoms water, 
with the south end of the fort bearing E. £ S., and the wharf 
about N. by E. A pilot soon after came on board, and we got up 
anchor and went in to the anchorage E. of the fort, the health 
officer visiting us in the meantime, and giving us pratique. 

Sent a lieutenant to call on the Governor, and afterwards visited 
him myself. I stated in this interview that I had come into Mar- 
tinique to refresh my crew, and obtain such supplies as I needed, 
coal included. The Governor replied that he could not supply me 
with coal from the Government stock, but I was free to go into 
the market and purchase what I wanted, he, the Governor, not 
knoioing anything about it ; and that as to my prisoners, if the 
United States consul at St. Pierre would become responsible for 
their maintenance, I might land them. With his consent, I sent 
the two masters up to St. Pierre in the packet to see this consul, 
and arrange the matter. I despatched also the paymaster to look 
after coal and clothing for the crew, giving leave to Lieutenant 
Chapman to accompany him. The Governor at one time ordered 
me to shift my berth, by returning to my first anchorage ; but 
countermanded the order upon my demanding an explanation of 
it. He seemed disposed, too, to restrict my procuring supplies at 
this place, on the ground that it was merely the seat of govern- 
ment and a military and naval station ; but upon my insisting 
upon my right, under the Imperial proclamation, to be treated in 
all respects as a lawful belligerent, he abandoned his point. The 
French colonies are governed by the minister of Marine, naval 
officers being the governors and chief officials. The Governor of 
Martinique is a rear-admiral. 

Sunday, Nov. \0th. — Rain in the early morning, clearing towards 
eight o'clock. Went on shore and accompanied M. Guerin to the 
Governor's mass, at 8 a.m. The interior of the church is very pleas- 
ing, with rare valuable paintings. The congregation was small. 
A detachment (one company from each regiment), entered the 
main aisle, and formed in double lines, a few minutes before the 
commencement of the service. The Governor and his staff 
entered punctually, and the service lasted about three-quarters of 
an hour. Fine music from a band in the orchestra. The blacks 
and whites occupy pews indiscriminately, though there is no social 
mixture of the races. All colours have the same political rights, 
notwithstanding which the jealousy and hatred of the whites by 
the blacks is said to be very great. W T as visited by M. Guerin 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 47 

and a number of gentlemen — members of the Colonial Legislature 
and others — to whom I explained the true issue of the war — to 
wit, an abolition crusade against our slave-property ; our popula- 
tion, resources, victories, &c. — to all of which they listened with 
much appearance of gratification, and which they also expressed 
from time to time, lamenting the blind policy of their Home Go- 
vernment. Mustered the crew, and read Articles of War. Three 
of the prisoners have shipped. Let another batch of libertymen 
go on shore. Two of yesterday's batch did not come off in time 
this morning. Since came on board. Visited the Savannah to 
hear the music, which is given every Sunday evening. It was a 
gay and beautiful scene : the moon, the shade, the trees, the 
statue of Josephine, the throng of well-dressed men and women, 
the large band and the fine music, the ripple of the sea ; and last, 
though not least, the Katy-dids, so fraught with memories of home, 
dear home ! Visited M. Guerin after the music, and made the 
acquaintance of his charming family, consisting of wife, daughter- 
in-law, and niece, who gave some music on the piano and a song. 
M. Guerin's mother died a nun in the city of Baltimore, where M. 
Guerin was himself educated. He retains his early impressions 
of Baltimore very vividly. 

Monday, November lltk. — Weather clear and pleasant, with 
refreshing trade-winds ; watering ship. Visited the town, and 
went a-shopping in company with M. Guerin. Found French 
manufactured clothing, &c, reasonably cheap. In the afternoon 
strolled on the heights in rear of the town, and was charmed with 
the picturesque scenery on every hand. The little valleys and 
nooks in which nestle the country houses are perfect pictures, and 
the abrupt and broken country presents delightful changes at 
every turn. I saw but few ^igns of diligent cultivation. The 
negro race is here, as everywhere else, an idle and thriftless one ; 
and the purlieus of the town where they are congregated are dila- 
pidated and squalid. The statue of Josephine in the Savannah 
is a very fine specimen of sculpture. It represents her in her 
customary dress, and she appears, indeed, a charming woman. 
This is her native island. The United States consul came down 
to-day from St. Pierre, and I landed the remainder of the prison- 
ers, twelve in number, putting them on parole. I had them all 
assembled in the gangway, and questioned them as to their treat- 
ment on board. They all expressed themselves satisfied with it. 
The officers returned from St. Pierre, and reported that coal was 
to be had, but that the Collector of Customs had prohibited the 
merchants from sending it to us. Wrote to the Governor on the 
Bubject : — 



48 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 



Confederate States' steamer Sumter, 
Fort Royal, Nov. 12th, 1861. 

Sir, — In the interview which I had the honour to hold with 
your Excellency on Saturday last, the 9th inst., I understood your 
Excellency to assent to the proposition that I might go into the 
market at St. Pierre, and purchase such supplies as I might stand in 
need of, coal included. The precise position assumed by your 
Excellency was, that you would neither assent nor prohibit. On 
the faith of this understanding,! despatched one of my lieutenants 
and my paymaster to St. Pierre, to make the necessary purchases, 
and they have returned and reported to me that they found an 
abundance of coal in the market, and at reasonable rates, and that 
the owners of it are anxious to supply me with it, but that your 
Collector of the Customs had interposed, and prohibited the mer- 
chants from selling or delivering it to me. For the information of 
your Excellency, I will here state that I have been permitted to 
coal in all the ports I have heretofore visited, except only at the 
French port of Cayenne, where I was informed that there was no 
coal in the market, and where it was insisted that I should under- 
go a quarantine of five days before communicating with the town. 
As it was not convenient for me to undergo this quarantine, I 
sailed immediately. I have coaled at Cienfuegos in the island of 
Cuba, at Curacao, at Trinidad, at Paramaribo, and at Maran- 
ham. It appears that Spain, Holland, England and Brazil have 
each deemed it consistent with their neutrality in the present war 
to permit me freely to supply myself with coal. Am I to under- 
stand from the action of your officers at St. Pierre that you have 
withdrawn the implied assent given me on Saturday last, and that 
France, through your agency, adopts a different and less friendly 
rule ? Will France drive a vessel of war of the Confederate States 
from one of her islands to a British island to procure coal ? And 
if she does this, on what principle will she do it ? It is a well- 
settled rule of international law, that belligerent cruisers have the 
right to enter freely into neutral ports for the purpose of replen- 
ishing their stores of provisions, or replacing a lost mast or spar; 
and why should not they be equally permitted to receive on board 
coal ? 

Coal is no more necessary to the locomotion of a steamer than 
is a mast or spar to a sail-ship ; it is no more necessary to a cruiser 
than provisions. Without a mast or without provisions a sail-ship 
could not continue her cruise against the enemy; and yet the 
neutral permitted her to supply herself with these articles. Nor 
can such supplies as these be placed on the ground of humanity. 
It would be inhuman, it is true, to permit the crew of a bellige- 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 49 

rent cruiser to perish in your ports by debarring from access to 
your markets, from day to day ; but it does not follow that it 
would be inhuman to prevent her from laying in a stock of pro- 
visions to enable her to proceed to sea, and continue her cruise 
against the enemy. It is not humanity to supply a vessel with a 
lost mast or a spar, and yet no one doubts that this may be done. 
Humanity, then, being out of the question, what possible distinc- 
tion can your Excellency draw between supplying a vessel with 
the articles above mentioned, and supplying her with coal ? 

Without any one of them she would be unable to prosecute her 
cruise against the enemy — why, then, will you supply her with a 
part, and not with the whole? 

Without troubling your Excellency further, however, with an 
argument of the question, I will content myself with stating what 
I believe to be the true rule of law, and it is this : — A belligerent 
ship of war cannot increase her armament or her crew in a neutral 
port, nor supply herself with ammunition ; out with these excep- 
tions she may procure whatever supply she needs. 

Although it would be an easy matter for me to run to one of 
the British, or Danish, or Dutch Islands, I should regret to be 
obliged to do so, and to have to inform my Government of the 
reason. I would not willingly have France adopt a rule which 
would effectually shut us out of her ports, whilst Holland, Great 
Britain, Spain, and Brazil admit us freely into theirs. The rule, 
prohibiting us from bringing our prizes into neutral ports, operates 
very harshly upon us, as the weaker naval power of the bellige- 
rents, without adding to it one still more harsh, and which has the 
sanction of neither law nor precedent. If, however, it be the de- 
termination of your Excellency to insist upon my departure with- 
out coal, I beg that you will have the goodness to say as much 
to me in writing. Your Excellency is the best judge of your 
instructions, and of what they require of you. 
I have the honour to be, 

With much consideration, 

Your obedient Servant, 
(Signed) R. Semmes. 

To his Excellency M. Maussion de Conde, 

FAmiral et Gouverneur de la Martinique. 

We have the gratifying intelligence that Captain Hollins, with 
some armed steamers, had driven the enemy from the mouth of 
the Mississippi, sinking the Preble, and driving the other vessels 
on the bar of the S.W. Pass. Mr. Seward has issued a proclama- 
tion, desiring the Governors of the Northern States to put their 

3 



50 CKUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

forts, &c, in condition, " as well on the seaboard as on the lakes !" 
This, with Fremont's abolition proclamation, will be of great ser- 
vice to ns. Quern Deus, &c. The Governor consents to my coal- 
ing at St. Pierre. 

Friday, November \ 2th. — Fine, pleasant weather. Watering 
ship. I did not visit the shore to-day; some of the officers are on 
shore dining, &c, with the French naval officers. There is evi- 
dently great sympathy for us in the island. We have got on board 
all our " liberty-men," no one of them having shown a disposition 
to desert. At 9 p.m., a drunken fireman jumped overboard and 
swam ashore, in spite of the efforts of a boat to catch him. He 
thus braved the discipline of the ship solely for a glass of grog ! — 
so strong upon him was the desire for drink. We sent an officer 
for him and caught him in a grog-shop. It is reported to us, as 
coming from the Captain of the Port, that there is a frigate cruis- 
ing off the Diamond Rock. The ship Siam arrived to-day, with 
444 coolies ! 

Translation of Reply received from the Governor, in Answer to 
the preceding. 

Fort de France, 12th November, 1861. 

To the Captain — 

I have the honour to send you the enclosed letter, which I ask 
you to hand to the Collector of Customs at St. Pierre, in which I 
request him to permit you to embark freely, as much coal as you 
wish to purchase in the market. 

I do not change at all from the position which I took with you 
on Saturday last. I do not consider that I am empowered any 
more to give you coal from the Government supply of this divi- 
sion, than I am to interfere with the market to prevent its being 
sold to you there. 

With the expression of my highest regard for the Captain, 

(Signed) Maussion de Conde. 

Wednesday, November \3th. — Got up steam, and unmoored 
ship at daylight; and at half-past six passed out of the harbour of 
Fort Royal, or rather now Fort de France. The pilot repeated the 
intelligence that there was a frigate off the Diamond Rock. As 
we passed the picturesque country-seat of the Governor, perched 
upon a height overlooking the sea, we hoisted the French flag at 
the fore. Passed the St. Pierre steamer on her way down. At 
eight, came to, in the harbour of St. Pierre, at the man-of-war 
anchorage south of the town. Several of the custom-house officers 
visited us, saying that they had not come on board officially, but 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 51 

merely out of civility, and from curiosity to see the ship. Sent a 
lieutenant on shore to call on the commandant, and make arrange- 
ments for the purchase and reception of coal, despatching to the 
collector the Government order to permit us to embark it. At 1 
p.m., shifted our berth nearer to the shore, for the convenience of 
coaling, mooring head and stern with a hawser to the shore. Re- 
ceived on board thirty tons by 9 p.m. ; sent down the foreyard for 
repairs. Quarantined the paymaster and surgeon for being out of 
the ship after hours, but upon the explanations of the former, re- 
leased them both. The market-square near the water is thronged 
with a dense crowd, eagerly gazing upon the ship ; and the news- 
paper of to-day gives a marvellous account of us, a column in 
length. Among other amusing stories, they claim me to be a 
French officer, formerly serving on board the Mereuse ! 

Thursday, November 14th. — Rain in the forenoon. Busy coal- 
ing, and getting on board a few necessary stores. It is reported 
that the Iroquois sailed from Trinidad on the 2nd November, and 
that there are three ships of war of the enemy at St. Thomas', 
one sail vessel, and two steamers ; and that one of these was ex- 
pected here last night. She has not yet made her appearance. It 
will be difficult for her to prevent our sailing. At 2.30 p.m. the 
steam-sloop Iroquois of the enemy made her appearance, coming 
round the north end of the island. She had at first Danish colours 
flying, but soon changed them for her own. She steamed ahead 
of us very slowly, and, taking up a position some half to three- 
quarters of a mile from us, stood off and on during the afternoon 
and night. Finished receiving our coal and provisions (sugar and 
rum) at about 9 p.m., when I permitted the crew to have their 
hammocks as usual. Directed everything to be kept ready for 
action. Visited in the afternoon by the mayor of the city and 
some gentlemen, who assured me of the sympathy of the citizens, 
and of the colony generally. At 1.30 a.m. I was called by the 
officer of the deck, and informed that the Iroquois was standing 
in for us, and approaching us very close. Called all hands to 
quarters, and made all preparations to receive the enemy in case 
he should attempt to run us on board. He sheered off, however, 
when he came within three or four hundred yards. He repeated 
this operation several times during the midwatch, imposing upon 
us as often the necessity of calling the men to quarters'; indeed, 
from about half-past two they slept at their guns. Great excite- 
ment pervades the entire city. The market-square, the quays, and 
the windows of the houses, are thronged by an eager and curious 
multitude, expecting every moment to see a combat. The enemy 
approached us at one time within a ship's length. 



52 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

Friday, November 15tk. — Fine, bright morning. At 7.30 a 
French steamer of war, L Acheron, Captain Duchaxel, came in from 
Fort de France, and made fast to one of the buoys. The Iroquois 
about a mile from us. At 8.30 sent a boat on board the French- 
man to pay the usual ceremonial visit. The throng in the town 
unabated, multitudes being gathered near the water, looking out 
at the two ships. At 10 the French captain paid me a visit. He 
came up, he said, with orders from the Governor, to preserve the 
neutrality of the port between the two belligerents, and in case 
the Iroquois came to an anchor, to demand of the captain a pro- 
mise that he would not proceed to sea for twenty-four hours after 
our own departure. I wrote to the Governor, informing him of 
the violation of the neutrality of the port by the Iroquois, and de- 
siring him to apply the proper remedy : — 

C. 8. steamer Sumter, St. Pierre, Island of Martinique, 
November 15th, 1861. 

Sir, — I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I am 
closely blockaded in this port by the enemy's steam sloop-of war 
Iroquois, of twice my force. This vessel, in defiance of the law of 
nations, and in contempt of the neutrality of this island, has boldly 
entered the harbour, and without coming to anchor is cruising 
backwards and forwards in a menacing attitude, not only within 
the marine league of the shore, but within less than a ship's 
length of this vessel, which is moored not more than one hundred 
yards from the beach. During the past night she several times 
approached me within fifty or a hundred yards. I deem it my 
duty to acquaint your Excellency with these facts, and to invoke 
your authority for the preservation of my just rights within your 
waters. I take the following principles, applicable to the present 
case, to be well settled by the law of nations: — Firstly, that no act 
of hostility, proximate or remote, can be committed by any belli- 
gerent in neutral waters; secondly, that when a cruiser of one bel- 
ligerent takes refuge within the waters of a neutral power, a cruiser 
of the opposite belligerent cannot follow her into those waters for 
purposes of hostility, proximate or remote. It is not only unlaw- 
ful for her to approach within the marine league, for the purpose 
of watch and menace, but it is equally unlawful for her to hover 
about the coast of the neutral, at any distance within plain view, 
for the same purposes. All these are remote or prospective acts 
of war, and as such, offensive to the neutral power. Thirdly, that 
when opposite belligerents meet by accident in a neutral port, if 
one of them departs therefrom, the other is bound to wait twenty- 
four hours before departing. For the opposite belligerent to de- 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 53 

part immediately in pursuit, is to avail herself of the neutral terri- 
tory for the purpose of war. She commits, by the very fact of 
sailing, a remote act of hostility which is offensive to the neutral 
state. 

In view of the foregoing facts and principles, I respectfully re- 
quest that your Excellency will cause tlie Iroquois to cease hover- 
ing about the coast of the island for the purpose of watching my 
movements; in other words, to withdraw herself out of plain sight. 
Or if she prefers to come in, to anchor, to direct either that she 
shall depart twenty- four hours before me, or wait twenty -four 
hours alter my departure, whichever she may prefer. I shall be 
ready for sea in four or five days, as soon as my engineers make 
some necessary repairs to my machinery. 

In conclusion, it is quite possible that the captain of the Iro- 
quois ma} 7 arrange some signals for giving him intelligence of my 
movements, with the United States consul at this port, and I have 
therefore to request that some officer may be charged with the 
prevention of any such act of hostility. 

I have the honour to be, &c, 

(Signed) R. Semmes. 

To His Excellency M. Maussion de Conde, 

Admiral and Governor of Martinique. 

During this night the Iroquois did not approach us so near as 
on the past night. Closed in the gun-deck ports, got the swing- 
ing booms alongside, and directed the crew, in case of being called 
to quarters during the night, to repair to the spar-deck as boarders, 
boarding being the mode in which the enemy would attack us, if 
at all* 



* On the 14th, at 4 p.M, when we had nearly finished coaling and other 
arrangements for sea, a steamer was seen rounding the north point of the island. 
She was under Danish colours, and had made, it was evident, some ludicrous 
attempts at disguising herself— such, for instance, as a studied disarrange- 
ment of her yards, and some alteration of her head-booms. I was under the 
impression at the time that we were very old birds to be caught with such 
shaff. She came up slowly at first, evidently not seeing us as we lay con- 
cealed in the shadow of the hills ; but when within about two miles, we 
could see, with the aid of our glasses, the water curling from her bows, and 
we knew that the Yankee had scented his prey; or, to employ the expres- 
sive phrase of our rough eld signal quartermaster, " she had got a bone in her 
mouth." All the good citizens of St. Pierre came down to the beach to wit- 
ness the scene, and a great many indulged their aquatic instincts by swim- 
ming out to us to await the denouement. The Iroquois was now close on to 
us, and when about a hundred yards distant, hauled down the Danish colours, 
and set the stars and stripes in their place. Thus we were once more in the 
presence of our hated foe. 



51 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

Saturday, November 16th. — The Iroquois ahead of us, about a 
mile distant. At 10 a.m., I returned the visit of the French 
commander. I pointed out to him the insolent manner in which 

The Iroquois is one of the new class of gunboats, powerfully armed with 
nine and eleven-inch guns, and is about 1000 tons burden. Her crew con- 
sists of about 200 men ; and we knew it was useless for the Sumter to think 
of fighting her, our only hope of escape being by strategy. The enemy stood 
in close to the land, and sent a boat on shore to communicate with the U.S. 
Consul and the French authorities, being, however, very careful not to drop 
anchor. Captain Palmer informed his Excellency the Governor that there 
was a pirate at anchor in the port of St. Pierre, and requested permission to 
destroy her ; but this was refused emphatically, and the irate commander 
furnished with the proclamation of his Imperial Majesty Napoleon III, accor- 
ding belligerent rights to the Confederate States, and decreeing strict neutral- 
ity on the part of France. He was informed that it was necessary for the 
Iroquois either to cast anchor, or leave the waters of the isle, and if accept- 
ing the former alternative, that an interval of twenty-four hours must elapse 
between the departure of either belligerent; also that, in case of any breach 
of neutrality occurring, the forts would open on the offending party. After 
remaining stationary for some two hours, her boat returned. The Iroquois 
stood out of the harbour, taking a position a short distance ahead of us, and 
commenced backing and filling across our bows. Meanwhile the crew of " the 
pirate" were not idle; every preparation was made to repel boarders, and 
to defend our ship to the last extremity. The crew were inspected, and 
every man seen to be properly armed and equipped for action. We fully 
expected an attack that night, and remembered the threats and loud preten- 
sions of not respecting any neutrality which prevented them from destroying 
the Sumter, as made by the commander of the Niagara, and the redoubtable 
Porter of the Powhattan, — this latter gentleman having actually followed us 
as far as Maranham, only to find the people Sumter- mad on his arrival. Very 
few on board the Sumter that night felt any inclination for slumber; the 
men were sitting about in groups, commenting in low tones on the con- 
test which now seemed to be immiuent ; while those officers who were at lei- 
sure were gathered on the quarter-deck, engaged in the same interesting dis- 
cussion. 

At 2 a.m. the word was passed by the look-outs forward that the Yankee 
was bearing down close upon us, and the order passed, almost in a whisper, 
*' to go to quarters." I never saw men obey an order with more alacrity. In 
a few minutes the boarders, pikemeu, and small-arm men were ranged in 
three lines close to our low rail, to await his attack, all preserving a perfect 
silence that seemed death-like. When about twenty feet distant from us, we 
heard the deep tones of her bell in the engine-room, as it rang the order to 
back ; but not before we had discovered her men at quarters, and, in fact, 
presenting every appearance of a ship intending to board an enemy. A 
single stray pistol-shot would have brought on the engagement, and to 
judge from the lights and signals glancing along the fortifications, the 
Frenchmen would have taken a hand, too The appearance of our decks 
next morning was amusing. The men were strewn about promiscuously 
fully armed and accout red for battle, endeavouring to obtain some rest ; a 
stranger might easily have imagined us to be a buccaneer. Captain Palmer 
stated next day that he was afraid we would board him in boats, when 
asked the meaning of his threatening manoeuvres; but it was difficult to 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTEK. 55 

the Iroquois was violating the neutrality of the port. No ad- 
ditional order had been received from the Governor. Scraping 
and painting ship, and repairing the engine to put it in thorough 
condition for service. At meridian the Iroquois came to anchor 
about half a mile from us, at the man-of-war anchorage. The 
captain of the Acheron visited me, to say the Governor had 
directed him to inform me that if I preferred it, he would be glad to 
have me visit Fort de France with my ship, where he could afford 
me more ample protection, and whither, he presumed, the Iroquois 
would not follow me ; and if she did, that he would compel her to 
depart from French waters. 

I replied that before deciding upon this invitation, I would wait 
and see whether the Iroquois accepted the condition of remaining 
twenty-four hours after my departure, or departing twenty-four 
hours before me. The Iroquois got under way again immediately 
after anchoring, and in the evening the captain of the Acheron sent 
a lieutenant on board of me, to say that the commander of the 
Iroquois refused to accept the condition, and that he had been 
directed to withdraw himself beyond the marine league in conse- 
quence. She remained a few hours to supply herself with refresh- 
ments, and as night fell took her station ; but not at the distance 
of a marine league during the night. 

We have thus taught this ignoramus Yankee captain some 
knowledge of, and some respect for, the laws of neutrality. In 
the afternoon I took a delightful stroll along the beach northward. 

Sunday, November 17 th. — Morning fine. Visited the church 
opposite the ship, and heard mass. The congregation was very 
large, composed chiefly of blacks — women. We were politely 
shown into the trustees' pew. A short sermon, chiefly addressed 
to some young persons who had just made their first communion, 
was delivered by a good-looking young priest, who had fair com- 
mand of language, and was easy and graceful in his manner. 

A sort of police officer or fugleman officiated here, as at Fort 

believe that the commander of a ship of war would make such a flimsy 
excuse; and let us hope for his own- credit that he did not really believe his 
own statement. The demeanour of the crew was most satisfactory. No 
noise or bustle could be noticed; but a quiet, firm determination was 
expressed in the countenance of each man to defend our noble little ship to 
the bitter end, and never strike our flag to the foe. These flagrant violations 
of neutrality greatly irritated the inhabitants, and the better portion of them 
threw off their thin mask of indifference, and openly expressed sympathy for 
us Some were so excited as to volunteer to go with us; but their kind 
offers were not accepted. The negroes, however, did not seem to recognise 
us for what we really are, their best friends, but were somewhat opposed to 
the Sumter ; and their allegiance to our enemy was made the subject of one 
of Captain Palmer's voluminous despatches to Mr. Gideon Welles. — Index. 



56 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

Royal — a feature which I did not like. The Iroquois preserves 
her distance by daylight. 

Monday, November \§th. — The enemy cruising off the harbour 
as usual. During the morning a French man-of-war schooner 
arrived from Fort de France, with the Governor on board (who 
visits St. Pierre to distribute premiums to the schools), and about 
one hundred troops to reinforce the fort. Repairing our machinery 
and painting ship. Some boatmen have been imprisoned by the 
authorities for going out to the enemy. At nightfall the Director of 
the Customs came off to see me, and said that the Governor had 
told him he expected to see the Captain of the Sumter at his (the 
Director's) house; adding, that he said this of his own accord — 
the Governor not having authorized him to say as much to me. I 
took the hint, and went on shore at 8 p.m., accompanied by my 
clerk, to call on his Excellency. He did not "seem to have any- 
thing in particular to say, except to renew his invitation for me to 
go to Fort de France in my ship, which I declined, on the ground 
that this would be a more convenient port from which to escape, 
and one affording more facilities for the repairs of my engine^ He 
told me that the Captain of the Iroquois pleaded ignorance as to 
his violation of the neutrality of the port ; but added, he knew 
better. An American (enemy) schooner got under way at dusk, 
and stood out to the Iroquois, where she remained about an hour 
before proceeding on her cruise to the northward and westward. 

Tuesday, November 19th. — Some surf observable this morning, 
increasing until about 4 p.m.; the wind variable, settling for a 
short time in the south-east. I became anxious on account of my 
berth, which was represented to me as insecure, in case of a blow 
from seaward. I sent and got a pilot on board, but when he came 
he said he thought we should not have bad weather; and as by 
this time the sea had gone down, I was of his opinion, and con- 
cluded to remain at my anchors for the present, especially as the 
repairs to our machinery would be finished by to-morrow evening. 
Heavy rain in the evening. The Iroquois within the marine 
league. Visited by the commander of the French schooner of 
war, whom we called on yesterday. About 10 p.m. the British 
mail steamer arrived from St. Thomas. Sent a boat on board of 
her, and got English papers to the 1st November. She brings 
intelligence of the enemy's steamer St. Jacinto, having boarded 
an English steam-packet, and taken out of her Messrs. Slidell and 
Mason, who had been carried to the Havannah by the Nashville. 
The English people will regard this as an insult to their flag, and 
in this way it may do us good. Night clear ; moon rising a little 
before eight. Not quite darkness enough for our purpose yet. 



CRUISE O'F THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 57 

Wednesday, November 20th. — Morning clear; wind variable. 
The Iroquois never loses sight of us, violating the neutrality of 
the port by night by coming within the marine league to observe 
us. Sent the engineer on shore to hurry the repair of his pumps. 
Loosed sails. Furled at meridian, and ordered the fires to be 
lighted at 1 p.m.; the weather looking unsettled, heeled the ship 
and scraped the grass off her port side near the water-line. The 
Iroquois crawled in again last night within about a mile and a half. 
As it was cloudy we lost sight of her in the early part of the night 
for the first time. 

Thursday, November 2\st. — Cloudy, with slight showers of 
rain. Drew the charges from the battery and reloaded it; and 
examined and put in order for action the small arms. Got up 
some barrels of salt provisions and arranged them on each side of 
the quarter-deck to trim ship. She lay an inch or two too much by 
the head. A boat employed filling up our water. Changed our 
fasts to the shores in readiness for a move. Hurrying the engineer 
with his work. I fear every moment to see another enemy's ship 
arrive. During the morning the Governor returned in the Acheron 
to Fort de France. In the afternoon the Acheron came back. 
Wrote a note to the latter complaining of the continued violation 
of the neutrality of the port by the enemy's ship. Engineer not 
ready, so we are obliged to lie over another day. 

C. S. Steamer Sumter, St Pierre, 
Nov. 21st, 1861. 

Sir, — It becomes my duty to complain of the continued viola- 
tion of the neutrality of this port, and of my right of asylum, by 
the enemy's steam sloop of war the Iroquois. 

This vessel, in shameful disregard of the warnings she has re- 
ceived from his Excellency the Governor, comes every night, under 
cover of the darkness, within a mile and a-half, or less, of the an- 
chorage. Last night, at nine o'clock, she was seen from my deck 
with the naked eye, assisted by an occasional flash of lightning ; 
and as the night was comparatively obscure, no vessel, not being 
under sail, could have been seen at a greater distance than from a 
mile to a mile and a quarter. 

I have besides to inform yon, that two small boats communi- 
cated with the enemy in broad daylight yesterday, one of them 
pulling, upon leaving her, to the north point, and the other to the 
south point, of the harbour. 

I have, <Sic, &c, 
(Signed) R. Semmbs. 

To M. Duchaxel, 
Commander of Hia French Majesty's steomer, L' Acheron. 

3* 



58 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

Friday, November 22nd. — The enemy about two and a half 
miles distant. The engineer will be ready to-day, and, God willing, 
we will get out to-night. Wrote to the captain of the Acheron, 
in reply to the position assumed by the governor : — 

C. S. Steamer Sumter, St. Pierre, 
Not. 22nd, 1861. 

Sir, — I have had the honour to receive your letter of yesterday, 
in which you communicate to me the views of the Governor of Mar- 
tinique relative to the protection of my right of asylum in the waters 
of this island ; and I regret to say that those views do not appear to 
me to come up to the requirements of the international code. The 
Governor says, " that it does not enter into his intentions to exer- 
cise towards the Iroquois, either by night or by day, so active a 
surveillance as you desire." And you tell me that " we ought to 
have confidence in the strict execution of a promise made by a 
commander in the military marine of the American Union, so long 
as he has not shown to us evidence that this engagement has not 
been scrupulously fulfilled." It would appear from these expres- 
sions that the only protection I am to receive against the block- 
ade of the enemy is a simple promise exacted from that enemy, 
that he will keep himself without the marine league of the land; 
the Governor in the meantime exercising no watch by night or by 
dav to see whether this promise is complied with. In addition to 
the facts related by me yesterday, I have this morning to report 
that one of ray officers, being on shore in the northern environs 
of the town last night, between eight and nine o'clock, saw two 
boats, each pulling eight oars, the men dressed in dark clothing, 
with the caps usually worn by seamen of the Northern States, 
pulling quietly in towards the beach. He distinctly heard a con- 
versation between them in English, one of them saying — " Harry, 
there she is; I see her" — in allusion, doubtless, to the presence 
of my vessel. These boats, no doubt, have orders to make signal 
to the Iroquois the moment they discover me under way. Now, 
with all due deference to his Excellency the Governor, I cannot see 
the difference between the violation of the neutrality of these 
waters by the enemy's boats, and by his ship. And if no strict 
eurveillance is to be " exercised either by night or by day," I am 
receiving very much such protection as the wolf would accord to 
the lamb. Is it an act of love' for the enemy to approach me with 
his boats for the purpose of reconnaissance, and especially during 
the night ? and I have the same right to demand that he keep his 
boats beyond the marine league as that he keep his ship at that 
distance. Nor am I willing to rely upon Lis promise, that he will 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 59 

not infringe my rights in this particular. It appears to me fur- 
ther, especially after the knowledge of the facts which I have 
brought to your notice, that it is the duty of France to exercise 
surveillance over her own water, " both by night and by day," 
when an enemy's cruiser is blockading a friendly belligerent, who 
has sought the asylum in those waters accorded to him by the 
law of nations. I have, therefore, respectfully to request that you 
will keep a watch by means of guard boats, at both points of this 
harbour, to prevent the repetition of the hostile act which was 
committed against me last night; or, if you will not do this your- 
self, that you will permit me to arm boats and capture the enemy 
when so approaching me. It would seem quite plain, either that 
I should be protected, or be permitted to protect myself. Fur- 
ther, it is in plain violation of neutrality for the enemy to be in 
daily communication with the shore, whether by means of his own 
boats, or boats from the shore, If he needs, supplies, it is his 
duty to come in for them ; and if he comes in, he must anchor; 
and if he anchor, he must accept the condition of remaining 
twenty-four hours after my departure. It is a mere subterfuge for 
him to remain in the offing, and supply himself with all he needs, 
besides reconnoitreing me closely by means of boats. I protest 
against this act also. I trust you will excuse me for having occu- 
pied so much of your time by so lengthy a communication, but I 
deem it my duty to place myself right upon the record in this 
matter. I shall seize an early opportunity to sail from these 
waters ; and if I should be brought to a bloody conflict with an 
enemy, of twice my force", by means of signals given him in the 
waters of France, either by his own boats or others', I wish my 
government to know that I protested against the unfriendly 
ground assumed by the Governor, that " it does not enter into his 
intentions to exercise towards the Iroquois either by night or by- 
day, so active a surveillance as you [I] require." 

I have the honour to be, &c, &c, 

(Signed) R. Semmes. 

M. Duchaxel, 

Commander of H.I.M. Steamer, L> Acheron. 

C. S. Steamer Sumter, St. Pierre, 
Nov. 23, 1861. 

S IR5 — I have the honor to inform you that the pilot of the 
enemy's steamer Iroquois habitually spends his time on shore in 
this port ; and that last night he slept on board the enemy's top- 
sail schooner moored near the beach, in the vicinity of the Eng- 
lish barque Barracouta. I have ample evidence outside of my 
ship to establish these facts. Now, it must be obvious to you that 



60 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

the enemy has sent this man into French waters to act as a spy 
upon my movements ; and he has, no doubt, in his possession 
rockets or other signals, with which to communicate my departure 
to his ship. This man, though only a pilot, and temporarily em- 
ployed on board the Iroquois, is in law as much an officer of that 
ship, for the time being, as any one of her lieutenants. 

The case, then, may be stated thus : — A lieutenant of the Iro- 
quois not only spends his time habitually on shore, but sleeps at 
night on board another vessel of the enemy, instead of sleeping 
at a hotel, the better to enable him to observe my movements, and 
communicate them to his ship. And yet all this is permitted by 
the authorities ! 

I most respectfully but earnestly protest against this violation 
of my rights. As I stated in my letter of yesterday, an act of 
reconnaissance (and still more an act of reconnaissance for the 
purpose of giving information by signal) is an act of war ; and 
will France permit an act of war to be committed against me in 
her own waters, and under the eye of her authorities, civil and 
military ? 

In conclusion, I request that you will issue an order, requiring 
this spy to depart to his ship, and that you will also take the 
proper steps to prevent the schooner in which he stays from mak- 
ing any signals to the enemy. 

I have the honor to be, &c, <fec, 

(Signed) R. Semmes. 

M. Duchaxel, 

Commander of H.I.M. Steamer, L'Acheron. 

Note. — The Sumter went to sea from the port of St. Pierre on 
the evening (8 o'clock) of the date of the preceding letter, and, 
as was predicted, the light was burned on board the American 
schooner to signal her departure to the Iroquois. 

R. S. 

Muffled the windlass. Getting on board some water. Last 
night, between eight and niue o'clock, the engineer being on 
shore, near the north end of the town, saw two of the Iroquois' 
touts, and heard one of them say to the other, " Harry, that's she 
— [ see her :" in allusion, doubtless, to the presence of this ves- 
sel. We were all very anxious as the night approached as to the 
3tate of the weather ; and lo ! for the first time in five or six 
days, we had a beautiful star-light night, without a speck of cloud 
anywhere to be seen. The enemy continued plain in sight, and 
our black smoke, as it issued from the stack, would have betrayed 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 61 

us at a distance of five miles. We were therefore reluctantly 
compelled to give up the attempt. 

Saturday, November 23rd. — Beautiful clear morning, with every 
appearance of settled weather. Fine starlit nights and clear set- 
tled days, though very pleasant to the lover of nature, are not 
quite such weather as we require for running a blockade by a ship 
which keeps herself in plain sight of us, and which has the heels 
of us. But we must have patience, and bide our time. Several 
sail have come in and departed during the last twenty-four hours. 
The enemy in the offing as usual. Towards noon it began to 
cloud up, and we had some rain, and I had strong hopes that we 
should have a cloudy, dark night. The moon would not rise 
until seven minutes past eleven, and if we could be aided by a few 
clouds we should have sufficient darkness ; for be it known that in 
these tropical climates, where almost every star is a moon, there 
is no such thing as darkness when the firmament is clear. But 
my hopes began to fade with the day, for one cloud disappeared 
after another, as the sun went down, until the night promised to 
be as serene and bright as the last. Venus, too, looked double 
her usual size, and being three hours bright at sunset, poured forth 
a flood of light, little less than that of the moon in a northern 
latitude. Notwithstanding all these discouragements, however, I 
resolved to attempt the run, and having made all the necessary 
preparations silently, so as not to awaken the suspicions of the 
townspeople, who were always on the alert, at about five minutes 
before eight o'clock gun-fire, I directed the chain to be slipped, and 
the fasts to the shore cut, and put her under steam. The enemy 
being on my starboard bow, and apparently standing towards the 
north point of the roadstead, I headed her for the south point, 
giving her full steam. So much on the qui vive were the towns- 
people, that we had scarcely moved twenty yards when a shout 
rent the air, and there was a confused murmur of voices, as if 
Babel had been let loose. As we neared the French steamer of 
war, Acheron, signals were made to the enemy by means of blue 
lights from one of the Yankee schooners in port : perceiving 
which, and knowing that the signals were so arranged as to 
designate our direction, after moving a few hundred yards further, 
I doubled, and came back under cover of the land, while I stopped 
once or twice to assure myself that the enemy was continuing his 
course in the opposite direction, in obedience to his signals ; when, 
as soon as the engineer could do so (for he had to cool his bear- 
ings, and this was truly an anxious moment for me), I gave her 
all steam, and stood for the north end of the island. As we 
approached it, the Fates, which had before seemed nnpropitious to 



62 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

us, began to smile, and the rain-squall, which had come up quite 
unexpectedly, began to envelope us in its friendly folds, shutting 
in our dense clouds of black smoke, which were really the worst 
tell-tales we had to dread. The first half-hour's, run was a very 
anxious one for us ; but as we began to lose sight of the lights of 
the town and to draw away from the land, we knew that the ene- 
my had been caught in his own trap, and that we had successfully 
eluded him. I had warned the French authorities that their 
neutrality would be disregarded, and that these signals would be 
made. The commander of the Iroquois had been guilty of a 
shameful violation of good faith towards the French naval officer, 
to whom he made a promise that he would respect the neutrality 
of the port, by sending his pilot on shore, and arranging these 
signals with the Yankee skippers. Yankee faith and Punic faith 
seem to be on a par. Our ship made good speed, though she 
was very deep, and by half-past eleven we made up with the 
south end of Dominica. Here the wind fell, and we ran along 
the coast of the island in a smooth sea, not more than four or five 
miles from the land. The moon by this time being up, the bold 
and picturesque outlines of this island, softened by the rains and 
wreathed in fleecy clouds, presented a beautiful night-scene. 

The sleeping town of Rousseau barely showed us the glimmer 
of a light, and we passed but one coasting schooner. At 2 a.m., 
we were off the north end of the island, but now heavy rain- 
squalls came up, and rendered it so thick, that we were obliged to 
slow down, and even stop the engine, it being too thick to run. 
The squall lighting up a little, we endeavoured to feel our way in 
the dark ; mistook the south for the north end of Prince Rupert's 
Bay, and only discovered our mistake when we had gotten fear- 
fully near the shore, and had whitened our water! Hauled her 
broad out, and again put her under very slow steam. The weather 
now lighting up more, we put her under headway again, doubled 
the island, and shaped our course E. by N. It was now 4*30 
a.m., and I went below and turned in. Deo gratias. Poor D., 
the quartermaster, I had to depose him from his high office 
of night look-out this night. He had been remarked for his keen 
vision by night ; but on this occasion he was so perturbed, that he 
saw a steamer bearing down upon him from every direction — even 
magnifying small sloops into frigates. The evening of this day 
was lovely, and I think I have never seen a more beautiful, seda- 
tive, poetic, love-in-a-cottage landscape, than the valleys and hills 
presented in which lies the town of St. Pierre. All these charms 
were heightened by the presence of grim-visaged war. Our run 
took every one by surprise — several of the officers had breakfast 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 63 

and dinner appointments for several days ahead. My crew 
seem to be highly delighted at our success in " doing the Yan- 
kee;" but I am not sure that an old boatswainVmate, and a hard, 
weather-beaten quartermaster, who had shaved their heads for a 
close fight, were not disappointed that it did not come off. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Again at sea — Two captures — The Montmorency — The Arcade — East- 
ward, hoi — The Vigilant taken — News from home — Dirty weather — 
The whale — Ehenezer Dodge — In irons — A cyclone — The gale rages — 
Fire ! — Christmas day — No luck — The clank of the pumps— Cadis. 

Once more afloat on the open sea ; and at 4 p.m. of Monday 
November 25th, a promising commencement was made in the 
capture of the fine ship Montmorency, of 1183 tons, laden with 
Welsh coal for the English Mail Packet service. And, fortunately 
mo for her, or she would have shared the fate of the Golden Ba- 
lance, the Daniel Trowbridge, and other " burnt offerings" of the 
little Sumter. As it was, she paid a light toll in the shape of 
small supplies of paint, cordage, &c, and entering into a ransom 
bond for 20,000 dollars, to be paid to the Confederate States Gov- 
ernment at the end of the war, her captain and crew were paroled, 
and she herself permitted to proceed on her voyage. 

At 1.30 p.m., on the 26th November — writes Captain Semmes 
— showed first the United States and then our own colours to an 
English schooner, probably from the Bahamas to the Windward 
Islands, and at three captured the United States schooner Arcade 
from Portland, Maine, to Port au Prince, Guadaloupe, loaded with 
stores. The master and half-owner of the schooner was Master of 
the barque Saxony at the time of the loss of the Central America, 
and was instrumental in saving lives on that occasion, for which a 
handsome telescope had been presented to him. I had the plea- 
sure of returning the glass to him, captured among the other 
effects of his vessel. 

Took the master and crew on board (a rough sea running), and 
set fire to ner. At 4.40 stood on our course. The blaze of the 
burning vessel still in sight at 8 p.m. During the night the wind 
lulled and became variable. Hauled down the fore and aft sails, 
and steered N.E. The prize had no newspapers on board, but we 



64 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

learned from the master that the great naval expedition which the 
enemy had been some time preparing had struck at Beaufort, 
South Carolina, on Port Royal Sound. No result known. 

After five days of hard fighting with the strong N.E. trade, 
blowing for the most part half a gale of wind, and with thick and 
dirty weather, the enemy is at length overcome, the sky clears, 
and the Sumter's head is turned towards Europe. And now for 
a time Yankee commerce was to have a respite, its relentless little 
enemy directing its attention exclusively towards maturing her 
voyage across the Atlantic. She had at this time but sixty days* 
water for her own crew, in addition to whom there were now the 
six prisoners taken from the schooner. The passage, too, would 
have to be made for the most part under canvas, and would proba- 
bly not occupy less than fifty days. Of course, she had now but 
six or seven days' supply of coal — a small reserve in case of emer- 
gency, and hardly sufficient to enable her to cruise a few days on 
the other side, and, if possible, not go quite "empty-handed" into 
port. 

Still the days were not altogether uneventful, and before the 
week was out, a fine prize ran, as it were, into her very arms. 
Of this capture the journal gives the following account : — 

Tuesday, December 3rd. — At 6.30 a.m. Sail, ho! a point on the 
starboard bow. At 7.30 the sail, which was standing in nearly 
the opposite direction from ourselves, approached us within a 
couple of miles. We hoisted French colours, when she showed 
United States'. Took in all the studding sails, hauled by the 
wind, tacked, and fired a shotted gun. The stranger immediately 
hove to. Lowered a boat, and sent a lieutenant on board of him. 
Stood on and tacked, and having brought the stranger under my 
guns, I began to feel sure of him (our smoke stack was down, and 
we could not have raised steam in less than two hours and a half). 
He proved to be the ship Vigilant, of Bath, Maine, bound from 
New York to the guano island of Sombrero, in ballast. Captured 
him. Took from on board chronometer, charts, &c., and a nine- 
pounder rifled gun, with ammunition, &c. Set him on fire, and at 
3 p.m. made sail. This was a fine new ship, being only two years 
old, and worth about 40,000 dollars. 

Lat. 29.10 N., Long. 57.22 W. Steering E. by N. We received 
a large supply of New York papers to the 21st November. We 
learned from these papers that the San Jacinto was in search of 
us when she took Messrs. Mason and Slidell from on board the 
Trent. The enemy has thus done us the honour to send in pur- 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 65 

suit of us the Powhattan, the Niagara, the Iroquois, the Keystone 
State, and the San Jacinto. 

Dirty weather now for several days, the little vessel rolling and 
straining, and withal beginning to leak to an extent which caused 
no small anxiety to those in command. Still, however, she was 
quite up to mischief, and on the 8th December, the Ebenezer 
Dodge, twelve days from New Bedford, bound to the Pacific on a 
whaling voyage, was added to the fatal list. Forty-three prisoners 
were now on board, cooped up with the crew in the narrow berth 
deck, when the weather forbade their appearance on deck, and the 
little Sumter was beginning to feel herself overcrowded. 

It became necessary to adopt precautions, and one- half the prison- 
ers were now kept constantly in single irons, taking it turn and 
turn about to submit to the necessary but disagreeable infliction. 
The wind, too, hung perseveringly in the east, and things were 
getting uncomfortable. They were destined, as the following ex- 
tracts will show r , to be yet more so. 

Wednesday, December 11th. — As ugly-looking a morning as 
one could well conceive. Thick, dark, gloomy weather, with the 
wind blowing fresh from the east, and threatening a gale (bar. 
29- 70 and falling) and a steady but moderate rain falling. Put the 
ship under short sail. Our large number of prisoners renders the 
crew very uncomfortable during this bad weather. At meridian, 
gale blowing, with thick, driving rain. Lat. 32°48'N., Long. 49° 
32' W. d. r. At 2 p.m., dense clouds hanging very low all around 
the horizon in every direction. Wind about E.S.E., inclined to 
haul to the southward. Bar. 29*59. The pall of clouds is not so 
dense as at noon, and the rain comes only occasionally in squalls. 
The clouds are rifted, and appear to be on the point of rapid mo- 
tion. Wore ship to the northward and eastward. The wind soon 
after backed to the northward and eastward, and we had to run 
the ship off N. W. for a while. Towards night, however, the wind 
went back to E., and blew very fiercely, raising very heavy and 
irregular sea-squalls of rain. The lightning was very vivid. It 
blew very heavily until about 1 a.m., when it abated for more than 
two hours, blowing only in puffs, and then not very hard. Near 
the centre of the cyclone, lowest barometer. A little past mid- 
night a quartermaster entered with the report that the starboard- 
bow port had been stove in ! It was then blowing furiously. I 
immediately despatched the first lieutenant to barricade the port 
and stop out the water as effectually as possible, in which he suc- 
ceeded pretty well. This report gave me considerable anxiety, as 



66 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

the ports in the gun-deck and the uppermost works of the ship 
are her weak points at which the gale would assault her with most 
effect. In the meantime the barometer has been gradually settling, 
settling, settling — sometimes remaining stationary for several hours 
and then going down as before. At 8 p.m. it was 29*53. We 
had an awful night — no one able to sleep. 

Thursday, December 12th. — Thick, gloomy weather, with the 
gale raging as fiercely as ever. It blew very heavily all the morn- 
ing. The barometer continued to sink until it reached 29'32 — at 
6 a.m. its lowest point. The wind has hauled to the south. We 
are evidently in a cyclone, having taken it in its northern quarter, 
the gale travelling north. On the starboard tack, its centre has 
passed to the west of us. Ordered the donkey engine to be got 
ready for use last night, in case the ship should make more water 
than the small bilge pumps could throw out. Carried away the 
flying jibboom at 7. 30 a.m. — saved the sail. As the gale progressed 
the wind hauled to the south and west; and at 4 p.m., judging 
that the strength of the gale had passed us, I kept the ship on her 
course, E. by S., which gave a quartering wind and sea; and al- 
though the sea was heavy, and the wind yet blowing a gale, she 
made beautiful weather of it, scudding as well as she had lain to. 
The wind blew fresh all night, with a slowly rising barometer. 

Escaped the "cyclone," a fresh danger threatened, and from the 
element more feared by the sailor than either wind or water in 
their wildest moods. It was about midnight of December the 
1 4th that the watch on deck were startled by the smell of fire, 
soon followed by the appearance of smoke pouring out of the 
ventilator leading up from the berth deck. The alarm was im- 
mediately given ; hands turned up and sent to quarters, and a 
strict investigation made. Fortunately no damage was done ex- 
cept to a mattress and pea-jacket which were partly consumed ; 
but the escape was a narrow one, and the sentries on duty below 
no doubt considered themselves well off, to escape with no other 
punishment for their carelessness than a week's stoppage of their 
grog; 

On went the Sumter with varying fortune, now running plea- 
sant races with some huge whale, that left a track upon the water 
almost as broad as her own ; now rolling and tumbling in a gale, 
with ports barricaded to keep the water out, and donkey engine 
rigged to keep it under. And at last the continued bad weather 
and consequent confinement to the crowded lower deck, began to 
tell upon the health of the crew, and no less than twelve were at 
one time upon the sick list. The little vessel herself, too, was 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 67 

getting rapidly invalided. The leak increased terribly, and fully 
half the day was taken up at the pumps. The Christmas-tide en- 
tries in the Journal are as follows: — 

Tuesday, December 2 4tL— An unpropitious Christmas-eve ; the 
gale of last night continuing, with rain and a densely over-cast 
sky. The barometer is rising, however, which is a portent that the 
gale will not last long. I have abandoned the idea of attempting 
to run into Fayal. These Azores seem to be so guarded by the 
Furies of the storm, that it would appear to be a matter of great 
difficulty to reach them in the winter season. We have thirty- 
eight days of water on board, allowing a gallon to a man ; but 
still I have put the officers and crew on the allowance of three 
quarts per day. I will run for the Straits of Gibraltar, which 
will carry me in the vicinity of Madeira, should I have occasion to 
make a port sooner. 

Weather breaking somewhat at noon, but still thickly overcast. 
No observation. Lat. 37° 31' N., Long. 31° 71' W. by computation. 
It freshened up from the N. at 2 p.m., and blew a gale of wind all 
night from N.N.E. to N.N.W. Running off with the wind a little 
abaft the beam very comfortably ; but the two small pumps were 
kept going nearly all night. They do little more than keep her free. 

Wednesday, December 2,5th. — Christmas-day ! Bringing with 
it, away here in mid-ocean, all the kindly recollections of the 
season and home, and church and friends. Alas! how great the 
contrast between these things and our present condition. A leaky 
ship filled with prisoners of war, striving to make a port through 
the almost constantly recurring gales of the North Atlantic in 
mid-winter! Sick list — ten of the crew, and four prisoners. 
Wind fresh from the N.W. We are making a good run these 
twenty four hours. Lat. 36*08 N., Long. 28*42 W. Weather 
cloudy, and looking squally and ugly, with a falling barometer, it 
being at noon 29*70 ; 29*80 is the highest it has been since the 
last gale. A series of gales commenced on the 19th inst. Altered 
our course from S.E by E. to S.E. to avoid the St. Mary's bank ; a 
Captain Livingstone having reported, about forty years ago, that he 
saw white waters hereabouts, and no nation having thought it worth 
while to verify the report. Thermometer 63°. Heavy rain-squalls. 
The weather during the night was dirty and squally, with lightning 
all around the horizon by turns, and heavy rain. Spliced the 
main brace ! 

The 26th December brought the Sumter off Cape Flyaway, 
and once more she was rapidly approaching the ordinary track of 
commerce. 



00 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

Monday, December 30th. — Sail, bo! at daylight, and Sail, ho! 
in succession during the whole day, until as many as thirty-five 
were reported. There were as many as nine or ten in sight at 
one time, all standing on the same course for the tide and wind. 
Got up steam and began chasing at 8 a.m., and chased until 4 p.m. 
The first vessel we overhauled was a Dutch barque, clipper-looking, 
on board which we sent a boat ; and we afterwards overhauled, 
and caused to show their papers, fifteen others of the fleet, every- 
one of which was European ! — Viz. Dutch (ships), 4 ; English (2 
barques and 5 brigs), 1 ; French (1 ship and 1 brig), 2; Swedish 
(brig), 1 ; Prussian (barque), 1 ; Hamburg (brig), 1. One of the re- 
sults of the war is, that in this whole fleet, as far as we could ascertain, 
there was not a single Yankee ! So many ships at the same time 
so far out at sea, is a sight not often seen. The weather was very 
thick and rainy, and from the S. to E., a real dirty day ; and in 
such a state of weather, with so many ships running down our 
track, we had serious apprehensions of collisions as the night set 
in. To guard against which we set out masthead as well as side 
lights. At 4.30 p.m., let the steam go down and made sail. No 
observations. Lat. 35° 39' ; Long. 17° 33' d.r. 

We first showed the United States colours to all these vessels, 
and the only one which saluted it was the Prussian. We after- 
wards showed our own flag to a number of them, and they all, 
with one or two exceptions, saluted it. The stream of vessels still 
continued after nightfall — two having passed us showing lights, one 
ahead and the other astern. At 6.15 p.m., or about one hour 
after dark, the wind was blowing fresh from the E., and they came 
down upon us with fearful rapidity. 

Friday, January 3rd, 1862. — Ugly looking morning, with a 
falling barometer. Several sail were reported from the masthead 
during the morning watch. We shortened sail to permit one of 
them, which was steering the same course with ourselves, to come 
up with us. She proved to be a Spaniard. We then gave chase 
to another a-head of us, running before the wind for the Strait of 
Gibraltar. We chased her some two hours, when it began to 
blow a fierce gale from the west, which obliged us to give over the 
chase and to haul up to prevent running to leeward of our port, 
and to put the ship under short sail and steam. It blew very 
fiercely until near sunset, and raised a heavy, short, abrupt sea, in 
which the ship rolled more heavily than I had ever seen her be- 
fore. This shook our propeller so as to cause the ship to increase 
her quantity of water considerably — so much so that the engineer 
reported that under short steam he was just keeping her free with 
his bilge-pumps, and that if anything happened to these, he feared 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 69 

the other pumps would not be sufficient. Under these circum- 
stances, I ran ?n for the land, cutting short my cruise by a day or 
two, as I had still two or three days' coal on board. We made 
the Cadiz Light in the mid-watch — (my fine chronometers!) — a 
beautiful red flash, and soon after got soundings. Ran in for the 
light under low steam, and at 7 a.m. we were within four or five 
miles of it. The morning was wet and gloomy. Fired a gun, 
and hoisted the jack for a pilot ; and soon after, having received 
one on board, we ran into the harbour and anchored. As we ap- 
proached, the scene was most beautiful, in spite of the day. The 
city of Cadiz is a perfect picture as you approach it, with domes, 
and towers, and minarets, and Moorish-looking houses, of a beauti- 
ful white stone. The harbour was crowded with shipping — very 
thinly sprinkled with Yankees, who could get no freights — and a 
number of villages lay around the margin of the bay, and were 
picturesquely half hidden in the slopes of the surrounding moun- 
tains, all speaking of regenerate old Spain, and of the populousness 
and thrift of her most famous province of Andalusia. Visited by 
the health-officer, who informed us that unless we were specially 
exempted, we should be quarantined for three days, for not having 
a certificate of health from the Spanish Consul at Martinique. A 
number of merchant ships hoisted their flags in honour of our 
arrival, and one Yankee showed his in defiance. 



CHAPTER IX 

Cadiz harbour — Notice to quit— Local authorities — Wisdom — The Queen 

of Spain — Docked — Under repair — Deserters — The honour of the 

flag — The Neapolitan'— The Investigator — Gibraltar — Official visits — 

Up the rock— A legend — Neutrality again — Considar diplomacy — 

Blockaded— The Tuscarora — Seven in pursuit. 

During the stay of the Sumter at Cadiz, and her subsequent 
arrival at Gibraltar, Captain Semmes made the entries in his 
Journal which will be found in this chapter. 

Saturday, January 4th. — Harbour of Cadiz — ancient Gades — 
with its Moorish houses and feluccas, or latteen vessels. Some fine 
oranges alongside — the product of this latitude, 36° 32' N., 
about^the same parallel with Norfolk, Virginia. It is one hun- 



70 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

dred and eighty-eight days to-day since we ran the blockade 
at New Orleans, and of this time we have been ona hundred and 
thirty-six days at sea. We are informed this evening that the 
question of our being admitted to pratique (and I presume also 
the landing of our prisoners) has been referred to Madrid by 
telegram. 

Sunday, January 5th. — Sky partially overcast, with a cool 
north wind. Thermometer 56°. Early this morning the health 
officer came alongside, and brought me the order from the Govern- 
ment, to depart within twenty-four hours, and a tender of such 
supplies as I might need in the meantime. I replied as under : — 

C. S. Steamer Sumter, Cadiz, 
January 5, 1862. 

Sir, — I have had the honour to receive, through the health 
officer of the port, an order from the Government of Spain, 
directing me to proceed to sea within twenty -four hours. I am 
greatly surprised at this unfriendly order. Although my Govern- 
ment has not yet been favourably recognised by Spain, it has 
been declared to be possessed of the rights of belligerents in the 
war in which it is engaged ; and it is the practice of all civilized 
nations to extend the hospitality of their ports to .the belligerents 
of both parties alike — whether the belligerents be de facto or 
de jure. I am aware of the rules adopted by Spain, in common 
with the other great powers, prohibiting belligerent cruisers from 
bringing their prizes into her ports ; but this rule I have not 
violated. I have entered the harbour of Cadiz with my single 
ship, and I demand only the hospitality to which I am entitled by 
the law of nations — the Confederate States being one of the de 
facto nations of the earth, by Spain's own acknowledgment, as 
before stated. I am sorry to be obliged to add, too, that my ship 
is in a crippled condition. She is damaged in her hull, is leaking 
badly, is unseaworthy, and will require to be docked and repaired 
before it will be possible for her to proceed to sea. I am there- 
fore constrained, by the force of circumstances, most respectfully 
to decline obedience to the order which I have received, until the 
necessary repairs can be made. Further, I have on board forty- 
three prisoners, confined within a small space, greatly to their 
discomfort, and simple humanity would seem to dictate, that I 
should be permitted to hand them over to the care of their 
consul on shore without unnecessary delay. 

I have, &c. 
(Signed) R. Semmes. 

To his Excellency 
The Military Governor of the Port of Cadiz, Spain. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 71 

At 11.30, a boat with the Spanish flag anchored a short dis- 
tance from me, evidently a guard upon my movements. The 
Yankees have been at work, no doubt, to bring all this about. 
The military governor is telegraphing my reply back, and we shall 
see what the answer will be. 

I was mistaken in the above. The order to proceed to sea was 
begotten in the wise brains of the local authorities. My reply to 
it having been telegraphed to Madrid, the authorities were over- 
ruled ; and the Queen despatched an order to permit me to land 
my prisoners, and to make such repairs as I needed. So this 
business, which has troubled us a couple of days, is at an end. 
This evening, just before dark, a Spanish steam-frigate came down 
from the Navy Yard, and anchored riear us. 

Monday, January 6th. — Last night I was aroused at 2.30 a.m., 
by a boat from the shore, with a note from the military governor, 
requesting me to delay proceeding to sea, that the benevolent 
intentions of her Majesty's Government in regard to me might be 
carried out. The " muddy heads" on shore had received a 
despatch from Madrid, in reply to my letter to them. Weather 
clear and bracing. Wind from the North. Thermometer at noon 
59.° The steam-frigate disappeared somehow during the night. 
Protested, as under, against the presence of a health guard-boat: — 

C. S. Steamer " Sumter," 

Caaiz, January 6th, 1862. 

Sir, — I have had the honour to receive your Excellency's note 
of to-day, in which you inform me that the proceedings of the 
local authorities of Cadiz, commanding me to proceed to sea 
within twenty-four hours, have been overruled by the Govern- 
ment at Madrid, and that the Queen had graciously permitted me 
to land my prisoners, and to remain to put the necessary repairs 
upon my ship. Do me the favour to communicate to her Majesty 
my thanks for her prompt and friendly action in the premises. 

In the meantime, allow me most respectfully to protest against 
the presence of the guard-boat which has been placed in sur- 
veillance upon my movements, as though I were an ordinary ship 
of commerce. Compliance with the laws of quarantine should 
be left with me as a matter of honour, and the presence of this 
boat implies the suspicion that a ship of war of a friendly Power 
could so far forget herself as to infringe the regulations of the 
port — a suspicion as unworthy the health authorities of the port 
of Cadiz as it is offensive to me. 

I have the honour to be, <fcc. &c. 

(Signed) R. Semmes. 

Benor Ignacio Mendez de Vigo, 
Military Governor of the Port of Cadiz. 



72 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

Tuesday, January *lth. — To-day I received a note from Senor 
de Vigo, the military Governor, informing me that the Queen's 
Government had consented to permit me to land my prisoners, 
and to remain for repairs. He puts my remaining, however, on 
the ground of necessity arising out of my crippled condition. Re- 
ceived also a reply from the Yankee Consul to my note about the 
prisoners : declined to receive it on account of its being impro- 
perly addressed.* Landed all the prisoners. Received another 
note from the Governor, requesting me to hurry my repairs, &c. 
Sent to the Captain of the port on the subject. Referred by 
him to Captain-General. 

Wednesday, January 8th. — Complained to the Civil Governor of 
the Paymaster and Surgeon having been called alongside the 
guard-boat (whilst coming on board in a shore boat). Despatched 
a Lieutenant to San Fernando to see the Captain-General about 
docking the ship. He returned at nightfall, with word that the 
Captain-General would reply in the morning. 

Thursday, January 9th. — Visited by Engineer of docks at San 
Fernando, to learn the extent of the repairs which we shall re- 
quire, and to take the dimensions of the ship, to ascertain whether 
she can enter the only dock that is empty. A fine, clear day, with 
a pleasant wind from the N. Bar. 30*34., the highest that I have 
ever seen. No answer from the Captain-General yet (noon), as to 
our being docked. Besides the six ships which Mr. Welles says 
have been in pursuit of me — viz., the Powhattan, the Niagara, the 
San Jacinto, the Iroquois, the Keystone State, and the Richmond 
— the Ino and the Dacotah are also employed in this fruitless 
business. We are fairly in the hands of the circumlocution office. 
I suppose they are telegraphing Madrid. The greatest excitement 
prevails all over Europe to learn the result of the English demand 
for the Commissioners. The general impression is, that the Yan- 
kees will give them up, and that there will be no war. The packet 
from New York is expected in England to-day. In the meantime, 
Great Britain is calling home her ships of war ; the Mediterra- 

* Captain Semmes, C.S.N., to U. S. Consul, Cadiz, 

C. 8. Steamer Sumter, Cadiz, 
January 7, 1862. 

Sir, — Tour note of this morning having been sent off to me by a common 
boatman, I could not learn the name of the writer without breaking the en- 
velope. Having done so, and ascertained it to be from yourself, I decline to 
receive it, as being improperly addressed. My address is as follows : — 

Commander It. Semmes, 

Confederate States Navy, 
Commanding C. S. Steamer Sumter. 
E. S. Eggleston, U. S. Consul. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 73 

tiean fleet arrived at Gibraltar on January 2nd, and threw the 
commercial community into the greatest consternation. Received 
final permission this evening from the Captain-General to enter 
dock. 

Saturday, January lltk. — Visited the shore. Cadiz full of 
life and bustle. Met Mr. Oliver ; he is from the East. He says 
Russia is laying deep schemes for uniting the whole Sclavonic race 
under her rule; and that tbe cotton pressure is felt at Constanti- 
nople, up the Danube, and, in short, all over Eastern Europe. 
Received permission from the Governor to land the marine who 
was sentenced by court-martial to be discharged. News of the 
great fire in Charleston. Rumour that the Yankees have given 
up the Commissioners. Can scarcely credit it as yet. Yankee- 
dom can hardly have fallen so low. 

Sunday, January \2th. — Landed the discharged marine. The 
news that Messrs. Mason and Slidell have been given up appears 
to be confirmed. The subtle diplomacy, notifying the Yankee 
Government unofficially, that the ultimatum would be withheld a 
short time, to allow them time to give up the prisoners volunta- 
rily, was resorted to ! The Yankee Consul here gave a dinner on 
the occasion ! The Cadiz papers comment very unfavourably upon 
this back-down, and insist that notwithstanding, it is the duty of 
the great Powers to interpose and put an end to the war. In the 
afternoon we got under way, and passing through the fleet of ship- 
ping, went up to the dock at Caraeca, some eight miles east of the 
city. The harbor is perfect, the water deep, and the buildings 
extensive. The pilot who took me up, says he is the man to run 
me out by the eremy, when I am ready — that he was in New 
Orleans sixty years ago, and remained a year in Louisiana, where 
he learned to speak the language, which he has not yet entirely 
forgotten. 

Monday, January 13th. — At about 10 o'clock the dockyard 
people came on board of us, and at 10.30 we were safely docked, 
and at noon the dock pumped dry. We suffered very little dam- 
age from running ashore at Maranham. We indented a small 
place under the forefoot, and knocked oft* only a small portion 
of our false keel instead of the whole of it, as we supposed. We 
are now knocking away bulkheads, and removing magazine 
and shell room to get at the shaft. At 1 p. m, called officially 
upon the Naval-Commandant, and returned him my thanks for the 
handsome manner in which he had docked my ship. I spoke of 
the back-down of the Yankees, which he asserted would make 
them lose caste in Europe. The great fire at Charleston was 
alluded to by him, whereupon I remarked that Europe could see 

4 



74 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

from this incident — (the work of incendiarism prompted and paid 
for, no doubt, by the enemy) — the barbarous nature 6f the war 
waged upon us, and told him we were in fact fighting the battles 
of Spain as well as our own ; for if the barbarians of the North 
succeeded in overcoming the South (which, however, I pronounced 
an impossibility), and'destroying our slave property, in their wild 
fanaticism and increasing madness, they would next make war on 
Cuba and Porto Rico. He replied that this war could not con- 
tinue much longer; there were people and territory enough in 
North America to make two great governments, and Europe 
would, no doubt united, soon interpose. I was treated with great 
civility and kindness. 

Tuesday, January \Ath. — * * * Had an interview to-day with 
the Naval-Commandant, who explained to me the orders he had 
received from the Government in relation to my ship, which were 
to put upon her only the indispensable repairs, without essential 
alterations. I expressed myself satisfied with this; told him I 
knew the solicitude of his Government to avoid complication ; 
and, that so far as depended upon me, he might rely upon it that 
I would permit nothing to be done which might involve it in any 
way. Proceeding with the necessary repairs. Some thousand 
workmen, many of them convicts, are employed in this yard. 
They have in dock, receiving her copper, a heavy steam frigate 
constructed here, and another still larger on the stocks. Immense 
quantities of timber are in the docks, and though the water is salt 
it is not attacked by the worm, the ebb and flow of the tide pre- 
venting it. Timber which has been forty years in these docks is 
perfectly sound. Five of my seamen deserted yesterday — all fo- 
reigners, I am glad to say. The Commandant has promised to 
put the police on the scent, but I have no expectation I shall get 
them. 

Wednesday, January \5th. — Having had the plank replaced in 
the bilge, and re-coppered and overhauled the propeller, we were 
let out of dock at 1 p.m. These repairs were done with a very bad 
grace by the Spanish officials, who seemed in a great hurry to get 
rid of us, lest the affair of our being docked should compromise 
them ! This I suppose was due to official timidity, not to any want 
of good feeling, as the Commandant of the yard expressed to me 
his regret at not being able to put me in complete repair ; person- 
ally offering to render me any service in his power. Our engine 
not being ready for use, the Captain-General sent a small steamer to 
tow me to Cadiz, where we anchored at about 4 p.m. Whilst lying 
in the dock, a stampede took place amongst my crew, nine of 
them having deserted. Two were brought back ; the rest escaped. 



CKUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 75 

Some of these men had behaved themselves very well, but none 
of them, of course, had any attachment to the flag, not being na- 
tives, or, indeed, citizens at all, and, sailor-like, they had got tired, 
and wanted a change. Some, no doubt, shrank from the arduous 
and perilous duties of the service in which they had engaged. 
They took refuge with the Yankee Consul, and it was useless to 
ask to have them given up. The enemy is certainly good at burn- 
ing cities by means of negro incendiaries, and at enticing away our 
seamen. Another lad ran away from a boat this evening. Have 
directed no boat should leave the ship without an officer, and that 
the officer be armed, and ordered to shoot any men who attempt 
to desert. 

Thursday, January \Qth. — Called my crew aft and had a talk 
with them about the bad conduct of their shipmates who had de- 
serted. Told them I did not believe I had another man on board 
Capable of so base an act ; that men who could run under such 
circumstances would run from their guns ; and that I did not want 
such, &c, &c. ; and ended by telling them that when funds arrived 
they should be permitted to go on liberty. * * * At 9 p.m., the 
aide-de-camp of the Military Governor came on board, bringing a 
pilot with him, with a peremptory order for me to go to sea. I re- 
plied as under : — 

C. 8. Steamer Sumter, Cadiz, Jau. 16, 1862. 

Sir, — I have the honour to inform you that whilst my ship was 
in the dock at Caracca eight of my seamen deserted, and I am in- 
formed that they are sheltered and protected by the United States 
Consul. I respectfully request that you will cause these men to be 
delivered to me, and to disembarrass this demand of any difficulty 
that may seem to attend it, permit me to make the following ob- 
servations : — 

****** 

*3. It has been, and is, the uniform custom of all nations to 
arrest and hand over to their proper officers, deserters from ships 
of war ; and this without stopping to inquire as to the nationality 
of the deserter. 

4. If this is the practice in peace, how much more necessary 
does such a practice become in war ; since, otherwise, the opera- 
tions of war — remote, it is true — but still the operations of war, 
would be tolerated in a neutral territory. 

5. Without a violation of neutrality, an enemy's consul in a 

* The paragraphs omitted, contain merely a recapitulation of the claim of 
the Confederate States to full belligerent rights. 



76 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

neutral territory, cannot be permitted to entice any seamen from a 
ship of the opposite belligerents, or to shelter or protect the same ; 
for, if he is permitted to do this, then his domicile becomes an ene- 
my's camp in a neutral territory. 

6. With reference to the question in hand, I respectfully submit 
that the only facts which your Excellency can take cognizance of, 
are, that these deserters entered the waters of Spain under my 
flag, and that they formed a part of my crew. The inquiry can- 
not pass a step beyond, and Spain cannot undertake to inquire, as 
between the United States Consul and myself, to which of us the 
deserters in question more properly belong. Such a course would 
be tantamount to an interposition between two belligerents, and it 
would be destructive of the essential rights of ships of war in fo- 
reign ports, as well in peace as in war. 

7. I am inclined to admit that if a Spanish subject serving under 
my flag should escape to the shore, and should satisfy the author- 
ities that he was held by me by force, and either without contract, 
or in violation of contract, that he might be set at liberty, but such 
is not the present case. The nationality of the deserters not being 
Spanish, Spain cannot, as I said before, inquire into it. To con- 
clude, the case which I present is simply this : — Several of my 
crew, serving on board my ship under voluntary contracts, have 
deserted, and taken refuge in the consulate of the United States. 
To deprive me of the power, with the assistance of the police, to 
recapture these men, would convert the consulate into a camp, and 
the consul wonfd be permitted to exercise the right of a belligerent 
on neutral territories. 

I have the honour to be, &c, &c. 

(Signed) R. Semmes. 

Exmo. Sr. Don J. Mendez de Vigo, 
Military Governor, Cadiz. 

Friday, January, 17 th. — Before I had turned out this morning 
the Governor's aid again came on board, stating the order was 
made peremptory, that I should go to sea in six hours, or I should 
be forced. I called in person on the Governor, a not over bright 
official, and endeavoured to make him understand how I was 
situated, but it seemed impossible. He promised, however, to send 
a despatch to Madrid, to the effect that I had no coals, and was 
awaiting funds to procure the same ; but, he added, if he received 
no despatch in the six hours he should require me to depart. I 
returned on board, and gave the necessary orders to get ready for 
sea. At 4 p.m., whilst I was weighing my anchor, the General's 
aide came alongside, and said to me that the Madrid Government 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 77 

had consented to let me remain twenty-four hours, that a despatch 
was being written to me on the subject, to which the Governor 
desired that I would reply in writing. I told the officer that, if 
his Government had politely acceded to my request, permitting me 
to remain until my funds arrived, I could have appreciated it ; but 
that being restricted to forty-eight hours, I declined to avail my- 
self of the privilege, and should go to sea ; and that the General 
need not trouble himself to read me the written despatch, as I had 
no other reply to make. I got under way in a few minutes after- 
wards, and as I was passing out a boat was seen pulling in great 
haste towards me, one of the crew holding up a letter in his hand. 
I did not stop to receive it; I felt too indignant at the manner in 
which I had been treated to be very civil. We passed outside of 
the harbour a little before sunset, and held on to the light until 
midnight, when we steamed for the Strait of Gibraltar. 

Saturday, January \%th. — * * * * We entered the 
Strait of Gibraltar at about 5 a.m., passing the Tarifa Light, and 
with the bold shores of both Africa and Europe in plain sight, in 
the bright moonlight — bright, notwithstanding the passing clouds. 
We made the Gibraltar light about daybreak, and saw at the same 
time a number of sail. We gave chase to two that looked Ame- 
rican, which they proved to be, and which we captured. The first 
was the barque Neapolitan, of Kingston, Massachusetts, from Mes- 
sina to Boston, laden with fruit and fifty tons of sulphur. The 
whole cargo was stated by the master, in his depositions, to belong 
to the Baring Bros., consigned to their agents in Boston — a false- 
hood, no doubt. Without stopping to look into the bona fides of 
this claim of neutral ownership, it was enough that the sulphur was 
contraband, and that the fruit belonged to the same owner ; I de- 
stroyed both ship and cargo. No papers as to the latter were pro- 
duced. The second vessel was also a barque, the Investigator, of 
Searsport, Maine. She being laden with iron ore, the property of 
neutrals (Englishmen), I released her on a ransom bond ; she was 
bound to Newport, Wales. One fourth of the vessel was owned 
in South Carolina, and the share of the South Carolina owner was 
omitted from the ransom bond — amount of bond being- less one- 
fourth fifteen thousand dollars. Having burned the Neapolitan, I 
steamed in for Gibraltar at 2.30 p.m. Passed under Europa point 
at about dusk, and stood in, and anchored in the bay at about 7.30 
p.m. Boarded in a few minutes by a boat from an English frigate, 
with an offer of service. Sent a boat alongside the health ship. 

Sunday, January \§th. — We found early this morning we had 
pratique. A number of English officers and citizens came on 
board. At 10 I called on board the frigate that had sent the boat 



78 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. _ 

on board of us last night, but was informed that the Captain (who 
was absent) was not the commanding officer present, and that the 
latter lived on shore. At 2 p.m. I landed at the arsenal and called 
upon the commanding naval officer, who received me very politely. 
I asked the loan of an anchor, having but one, and the Captain 
promised to supply me with one if there should be no objection on 
the part of the law officers of the Crown ! Walked from the Cap- 
tain's little oasis — scooped out as it were from the surface of the 
Rock, with a nice garden-plot and trees, shrubbery, &c. — down 
into the town, and called on Lieutenant-General Sir W. J. Cod- 
rington, K.C.B., the Governor, an agreeable type of an English 
gentleman of about fifty to fifty-five years of age. The Governor 
tendered me the facilities of the market, <fcc, and in the course of 
conversation said he should object to my making Gibraltar a sta- 
tion, at which to be at anchor for the purpose of sallying out into 
the Strait and seizing my prey. I told him that this had been 
settled as contrary to law by his own distinguished judge, Sir 
William Scott, sixty years ago, and that he might rely upon my 
taking no step whatever violative of the neutrality of England, so 
long as I remained in her ports, <fec. The garrison is about sevea 
thousand strong, and it being Sunday, the parade-ground and 
streets were thronged with gay uniforms. Spain, with her heredi- 
tary jealousy and imperiousness of character, is very formal and 
strict about intercourse with the Rock. The Duke of Beaufort 
visited us to-day. 

Monday, January 20lh. — Very fresh, threatening a gale. Ship 
reported as having dragged her anchor. Ordered steam to be got 
up and the berth shifted. Ran in nearer to the eastern shore into 
four fathom water and where it was smoother. 

Tuesday, January 2\st. — The westerly wind is bringing a fleet 
of ships into the bay. To-day Colonel Freemantle came on board 
to return my visit on the part of the Governor, and to read to me, 
by the latter's direction, a memorandum of the conversation which 
had passed between us on Sunday. The points noted were — first, 
that we had agreed that I should receive all necessary facilities for 
the repair (from private sonrces) and supply of ray ship, contra- 
band of war excepted ; and, secondly, that I would not make 
Gibraltar a station at which to lie at anchor, and sally out upon 
my enemy. I assented to the correctness of the Governor's memo- 
randum. The first Lieutenant and Paymaster ashore making 
arrangements for the purchase of an anchor and chain. The 
house of Peacock and Co. refused to supply us, because it would 
offend their Yankee customers. They made arrangements with, 
another party. The town of Gibraltar, from the fact that the 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 79 

houses are built on the side of the Rock, and stand one above the 
other, presents the beautiful spectacle every night of a city illumi- 
nated. Colonel Freemantle politely requested me to visit the 
various batteries, <fec. 

Wednesday, January 22nd. — Wind still from westward. Re- 
ceived on board an anchor and chain. Received a letter from 
Captain Warden, on a point of international law, to which I 
assented — to wit, that vessels should have twenty-four hours' start. 

Thursday, January 23rd. — Visited by Captain Warden, the 
Senior Naval Officer. Received a letter from Hon. Mr. Yancey, 
who does not believe that the blockade will be raised for three 
months. Ordered a survey upon the ship. 

Friday, January 24th. — Invited to dine with the 100th, a 
Canadian regiment. Some of the officers went. Captain Palmer 
has been relieved by De Camp. 

Saturday, January 25th. — We hear a rumour that the Nash- 
ville has been sold. Ships constantly arriving and departing. 

Sunday, January 26th. — A charming, balmy day, resembling 
April in Alabama. At 10, went on shore to the Catholic church ; 
arrived as the military Mass ended : many Catholics in the army. 
Small church, with groined arches — remnant of Spanish times. 
After church took a delightful stroll into the country, just above 
the Alameda. It is a labyrinth of agave and flowers and shrub- 
bery, among which the path zigzags up the mountain-side; gera- 
niums, and jonquils, and mignonette, and lilies are wild. One is 
only surprised, after looking at the apparently barren face of the 
rock, to find so much sweetness of Mother Earth. I clambered 
up a couple of hundred feet, and from that height the bay, the 
coasts of Spain, and sleeping Africa, robed in the azure hue of 
distance, and the numerous sail, some under way, and others lying 
like so many cock-boats, as seen from the height, at their anchors 
— the latteen craft speaking of the far East, (fee. Statue of 
General Elliot. A number of fine-looking Moors in the streets, 
picturesque in their loose dresses and snowy turbans. Gibraltar 
is, indeed, a city. of the world, where one sees every variety of 
costume, and hears all tongues. Spanish is the predominant lan- 
guage among the commercial classes. Major-General Sir John 
Inglis (the hero of Lucknow), of the English army, Governor of 
Corfu, having arrived on his way to the Ionian Islands, visited us 
to-day to see our ship, which he was kind enough to say had 
become " quite distinguished." 

Monday, January 21 th. — A general exodus of the shipping this 
morning out of the Straits, within which they had been detained 
some ten days by a head wind. The English mail steamer from 



80 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

Southampton arrived. Received from her a Times of the 20th, 
from which we learn that England had protested against the bar- 
barity of blocking up the harbour of Charleston, by sinking a 
stone fleet. We feel some anxiety for the safety of Messrs. 
Mason and Slidell, they having embarked on board the English 
gunboat Rinaldo, at Princetown, on the 2nd instant, and not 
having been heard of on the 10th, although bound to Halifax. A 
heavy (rale blew on the eve of their embarkation. 

Tuesday, January 28th. — Preparing the ship for sea, surveying 
machinery, and impatiently awaiting news from London. 

Wednesday, January 29th. — Visited the shore, and went to 
the Military Library and Reading Room, where I found the prin-, 
cipal London journals. Reported that the English Government will 
consult Parliament about recognising us. Took a long stroll to 
the east end of the Rock — exceedingly broken and picturesque. 
Came upon a Moorish burying-ground, looking out upon Africa. 
Some of the marble slabs had become almost disintegrated by the 
weather, so old were they. What a history of human affections, 
hopes, aspirations, tribulations, and disappointments lay buried 
here ! New works, adding additional strength to this renowned 
fortress, are still going on. * * * * 

Thursday, January 30th— * * * * Visited, in com- 
pany with Colonel Freemantle, the famous fortifications, passing 
through the galleries — three tiers, one above the other — in the 
north end of the Rock. These are huge tunnels, extending from 
a third to half a mile, with embrasures from space to space for 
cannon— the solid Rock forming the casemates. From these gal- 
leries we emerged out on a narrow footway cut in the rock, and 
stood perpendicularly over the sea breaking at our feet, and had 
a fine view of the N.E. face of the Rock rising in a magnificent 
mass some 1500 feet. From this point a tower, called the Queen 
of Spain's Chair, was pointed out to me — on the height opposite, 
to the northward. The legend connected with which is, that dur- 
ing one of the sieges of 1752, the Queen of Spain came to this 
eminence to witness the assault and capture of the place, and vowed 
she would not descend therefrom until the flag of Spain should 
wave from the Rock. The assault failed, and the Queen in per- 
formance of her vow refused to descend, until the Governor of Gib- 
raltar, hearing of the determination of her Majesty, sent her word 
that he would at a given hour hoist the Spanish ensign that she 
might descend. This was done, and the Queen was rescued from 
her predicament without breaking her word. 

Having finished our inspection of the Rock, we went through 
the town, and passed out on to the neutral ground, from which I 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 81 

returned after a four hours' ride completely broken down. On the 
south end, under a perpendicular wall of rock, that in summer 
breaks the sun from an early hour in the afternoon, is the Gover- 
nor's summer residence, to which he resorts for protection against 
the heat. We met his Excellency and lady, who had come out to 
look at their summer home, &c. Colonel Freemantle told me 
that the Spanish Consul, whom he pointed out as we passed the 
Alameda, had stated that I was a Spaniard, or at least that my fa- 
ther was — a native of Catalonia — that I spoke Catalan as well as 
English, and that my name was a common one in that province. 

Saturday, February 1st. — Witnessed a review of about five 
thousand troops in the Alameda. Drums draped with black, and 
the ornaments of the officers covered with black crape in respect 
to the memory of the Prince Consort. 

Sunday, February 2nd. — Received letters from N — , inform- 
ing me, that as my ship was unseaworthy, Mr. Yancey had deter- 
mined to send me the new one built at Liverpool, if I desired it. 

Wednesday, February 5th. — A United States merchant ship 
came in and anchored. Ready for sea. Mr. Joyce came on board, 
and went afterwards with the Engineer on shore to look at some 
coal. Mr. Joyce sent word that he could not purchase any, there 
being a combination against us. Sent the First Lieutenant to the 
Governor to represent the facts to him, and to ask for a supply 
from the public stores. He replied he had no coal under his con- 
trol, that it belonged to the naval officer, but that he did not think 
it could be supplied. Expresssd his astonishment at the combi- 
nation of the merchants. Sent a number of men on shore on 
liberty. 

Friday, February 1th. — Liberty-men staying over their time. 
Two of them have deserted and gone over to the U. S. Consul. 
One of them has been badly beaten by the rest of the men. Eleven 
of them came on board later. Visited by a Spanish Lieutenant, 
who had been directed by the Spanish Naval Commander at Alge- 
ciras to see me and state that the U. S. Consul had complained to 
the Spanish government that I had violated the neutrality of Spain 
by capturing the barque Neapolitan within a mile and a half of 
Ceutra, on thelVlorocco coast, and that the Government had given 
the Admiral orders to see that both belligerents in the war should 
respect Spanish neutrality. I stated to him in reply that any ques- 
tion which the capture might present was a matter between our 
two Governments, and that I did not recognise the right of the 
Spanish Admiral to inquire into the matter. To this the Lieute- 
nant assented. I then said that I would take the pleasure of show- 
ing him, however, for the information of the Admiral, that the 

4* 



82 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

truth had not been represented to his Government by the United 
States Consul. I then called my clerk, and showed him the de- 
position of the Master of the captured vessel, in which it was stated 
that the capture was made within five miles of Gibraltar ! The 
officer seemed equally astonished and pleased, and expressed his 
satisfaction. 

Saturday, February 8th. — Early this morning the British frigate 
Warrior came in, and anchored near us. Sent a Lieutenant on 
board to make the usual complimentary call. Awaiting the arrival 
of a vessel with coal, consigned to Mr. Joyce, who promises to 
supply us. My coxswain ran off to-day, and I was pulled off by a 
drunken crew. 

Sunday, February 9th. — Did not go to church, but remained 
on board to be present at muster. Eleven of my vagabonds still 
on shore. Some of these, we learn, have gone to the United 
States Consul, and claimed his protection. This official has been 
seducing them off by an emissary. Wrote to the Governor 
charging this on the Consul, and wrote also to Captain Warden, 
asking to be supplied with coal from the Government dockyard. 

C. 8. Steamer Sumter, Bav of Gibraltar, 
Feb. 10, 1862. 

Sir, — I have the honour to state for the information of his 
Excellency the Governor of Gibraltar, that I am informed and 
believe that the United States Consul, at this place, has, by means 
of his emissaries, tampered with, and seduced from their alle- 
giance, several of the crew of my ship who have visited the shore 
on liberty. The impropriety and illegality of such conduct is so 
manifest that I take it for granted his Excellency will interpose 
his authority for my protection. Great Britain, having proclaimed 
a strict neutrality in the war now pending between the United 
States and Confederate States, is under the obligation, I respect- 
fully suggest, not only to abstain herself, from any un-neutral con- 
duct, but to see that all persons whatsoever within her dominions 
so abstain. No act of war, proximate or remote, should be tole- 
rated in her waters by the one belligerent against the other, or 
by any citizen or resident against either belligerent. His Excel- 
lency will doubtless concur with me in the justice and propriety 
of the rule thus stated. To apply this rule to the present case. 
Being prompted by motives of humanity to send ray crew on 
shore, in small detachments, for exercise and recreation, after a 
long confinement on shipboard, my enemy, the United States Con- 
sul, sends his agents among them, and by specious pretences per- 
suades them to desert their ship, and take refuge under his Con- 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 83 

sular flag. This has been done in the case of the following sea- 
men : — Everett Salmon, John G. Jenkins, Thomas F. Kenny, and 
perhaps others. Here is an act of war perpetrated against me in 
neutral teritory, and the consular residence, or office, has become 
quoad hoc a hostile camp. And this conduct is the more objec- 
tionable in that the nationality of most of these men is not Ame- 
rican. His Excellency, as a soldier, knows that no crime is re- 
garded with greater detestation in the present civilized age of the 
world, than the one here described. As between contending 
armies in the field, an offender caught in the perpetration of such 
an act, would be subjected to instant death ; and this, not only 
because the act is an act of war, but because it is a dishonourable 
act of war. And can an enemy make use of neutral territory to 
do that, which would subject him to an ignominious death, if he 
were without such territory, and within reach of the opposite 
belligerent? When my men come within his Excellency's juris- 
diction I lose all control over them, and must rely upon his comity 
to regain possession of them. If they leave me of their own 
freewill, in the absence of the recognition of my Government, 
and of treaty stipulation, perhaps I have no remedy. But when 
I permit them to go on shore, and enter the jurisdiction of a 
neutral and friendly power, I do so with the just expectation that 
they will receive the shelter and protection of the neutral flag ; 
and that they will not be permitted to be run off by my enemy ; 
and to wheedle and entice a sailor from his ship, and that too 
when, perhaps, he is half drunk, is little better than kidnapping him. 
In the present case, the violation of the neutral jurisdiction is as 
complete as if the Consul had seized my men by force ; for he 
has accomplished the same object ; to wit, weakening his enemy 
by stratagem — a stratagem practised by one belligerent against 
another. If this act had been committed by a military or naval 
officer of the enemy, transiently within the limits of Gibraltar, 
every one would have been surprised at it, and would have 
exclaimed against it as a flagrant violation of the law of nations. 
And is the offence of less magnitude when committed by a Con- 
sul, who is peculiarly favored by the law of nations, as an officer 
of peace, and one whose pursuits lie wholly in the walks of com- 
merce? Mr. Sprague, the United States consul, is a gentleman 
whom I have heard favourably spoken of, and it is barely possible 
I may do him injustice in imputing to him the conduct described, 
but the evidence came to me in a very satisfactory shape, and I 
shall be ready to produce it if the allegation be denied. Should 
the proof be made out to his Excellency's satisfaction, I shall 
deem it my duty to request that the Consul be suspended from his 



84 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

functions, and that the question of withdrawing his Exequatur 
be referred to the British Government. 

I have, &c, <fcc, 
(Signed) R. Semmes. 

To Capt. J. Freeling, CoL Sec. 

C. S. Steamer Sumter, Bay of Gibraltar, 
Feb. 10th. 

Sir, — I have the honour to inform you that I have made every 
effort to procure a supply of coal, without success. The British 
and other merchants of Gibraltar, instigated I learn by the United 
States Consul, have entered into the un-neutral combination of de- 
clining to furnish the Sumter with coal on any terms. Under 
these circumstances, I trust the Government of her Majesty will 
find no difficulty in supplying me. By the recent letter of Earl 
Russell (31st January, 1862), it is not inconsistent with neutrality 
for a belligerent to supply himself with coal in a British port. In 
other words, this article has been pronounced, like provisions, in- 
noxious; and this being the case, it can make no difference 
whether it be supplied by the Government or an individual (the 
Government being reimbursed the expense), and this even though 
the market were open to me. Much more, then, may the Govern- 
ment supply me with an innocent article, the market not being 
open to me. Suppose I had come into port destitute of provisions, 
and the same illegal combination had shut me out from the mar- 
ket, would the British Government permit my crew to starve ? 
Or, suppose I had been a sail ship, and had come in dismasted, 
and the dockyard was the only place where I could be refitted, 
would you have denied me a mast ? and if you would not deny 
me a mast, on what principle will you deny me coal, both articles 
being declared by your Government innoxious? The true cri- 
terion is, not whether the Government, or an individual may sup- 
ply the article, but whether the article itself be noxious or innox- 
ious. The Government may not supply me with powder — why ? 
Not because I may have recourse to the market, but because the 
article is noxious. A case in point occurred when I was in Cadiz 
recently. My ship was admitted into a Government dock, and 
/there repaired; firstly, because the repairs were innocent, and, 
secondly, because there were no private docks in Cadiz. So here, 
the article is innocent, and there is none in the market (accessible 
to me) ; why then may not the Government supply me ? 

In conclusion, I respectfully request that you will supply me 
with 150 tons of coal, for which I will pay the cash ; or if you 
prefer it, I will deposit the money with an agent, who can have no 
difficulty, I suppose, in purchasing the same amount of the ma- 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 85 

terial from some one of the hulks, and returning it to her Majesty's 
dockyard. 

I have, &c, 

(Signed) R. Semmes. 

Captain E. "Warden, Senior Naval Officer, 
Gibraltar. 

'Monday, February 10th. — * * * * Received a visit 
from Captain Cochrane, of the Warrior, son of the late Earl 
of Dundonald, notorious in the war of 1812, and distin- 
guished in the South American service. Wrote the following 
letter : — 

C. 8. Steamer Sumter, 

Bay of Gibraltar, Feb. 10, 1862. 

Sir, — I have the honour to inform you that I have this day 
caused to be paid to the Spanish Consul at this port the amount 
of the bill contracted by this ship under my command while in 
the dock at Caracca. 

I have, <fec, 

(Signed) R. Semmes. 

To the Captain of the Port, Cadiz. 

Tuesday, February \\th. — * * * * Five men in con- 
finement ! The d — seems to have got into my crew. I shall 
have to tighten the reins a little. 

Wednesday, February 12th. — * * * * Called on 
the Governor to have a talk with him on the subject of my de- 
serters. He took the ground that in the absence of treaty stipu- 
lations he could not deliver a fugitive unwilling to be returned. 
Whilst I was with him the Tuscarora was announced by the 
telegraph. This ship came in and anchored near us about 12 
noon, disguised with her mainyards down, so as to resemble a 
merchant steamer. I saw Captain Warden on shore also. He 
informed me that the question of my being coaled by the dock- 
yards had been referred by telegraph to London. 

Thursday, February ISth. — Blowing a levanter. In the morn- 
ing a barque dragged foul of the Tuscarora, and carried away her 
(the barque's) foreyards. Later in the day the Tuscarora shifted 
her berth over to the Spanish shore, near San Roque. Several 
vessels took shelter in the harbour from the gale. Among them a 
French line-of-battle ship, aud a Spanish side-wheel man-of-war. 
Shut up in my little cabin by the wet weather, I have time to 
brood gloomily over home and the war, and the prospects of our 
dear South. 



86 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

Friday, February \±th. * * * — At noon the Tuscarora got 
under way, and stood over to Algeciras. 

Saturday, February 15th. — Anniversary of the day of my 
resignation from the navy of the United States ; and what an 
eventful year it has been ! The Northern States have been 
making a frantic and barbarous war upon thirteen states and nine 
millions of people ; in face, too, of Madison's words : " If there be 
a principle that ought not to be questioned in the United States, 
it is that every nation has the right to abolish an old Government 
and establish a new one. This principle is not only recorded in 
every public archive, written in every American heart, and sealed 
with the blood of a host of American martyrs, but it is the only 
lawful tenure by which the United States hold their existence as 
a nation." And then what flood-gates of private misery have 
been raised by this war — overwhelming families without number 
in utter ruin and desolation. 

Reduced my worthless sergeant to the ranks, and promoted a 
corporal in his stead. The British Parliament met on the 6th, 
and we have in the papers to-day the address to the Queen, and 
the speeches of the Earl of Derby and Lord Palmerston. From 
the general tone of all these papers we shall not be acknowledged 
at present. They say the quarrel is no business of theirs, and we 
must fight it out. Astute Great Britain ! she sees that we are able 
to fight it out, and thus her darling object will be accomplished 
without the expenditure of blood or money. 

Sunday, February 16th. — * * * * Visited by the 
Captain of the Scylla frigate. 

Monday, February 17 th. — * * * * Visited the Warrior. 
The Governor and suite and a number of naval and other officers, 
civilians, and ladies visited her by appointment at the same time. 
The Warrior is a marvel of modern naval architecture, and for a 
first experiment may be pronounced a success. She is a mon- 
strous, impregnable floating fortress, and will work a revolution in 
shipbuilding. Wooden ships, as battle-ships, must go out of use. 
With this single ship I could destroy the entire Yankee fleet 
blockading our coast, and this is the best illustration I can give 
for the necessity of this revolution in shipbuilding. The British 
Government has declined to supply me with coal from the dock- 
yard, and I must make arrangements to get it from Cadiz. The 
London, ship-of-the-line steamer, arrived. 

Tuesday, February 18th. — * * * * The Southampton 
mail steamer arrived, bringing news from London to the 12th. 
The news of the defeat and death of General Zollicoffer is con- 
firmed. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 87 

Wednesday, February \§th. — Called on Captain Warden, and 
had a conversation with him on the subject of our blockade by 
the Tuscarora. Called his attention to the prevention of signals, 
the Tuscarora communicating with Gibraltar by boats. Gave 
notice if the Tuscarora came in I should claim precedence of de- 
parture, <fec. The Warrior went to sea. Judging from the tone 
of the English journals there is no prospect of our immediate 
recognition. Sent to Cadiz for coal. 

Thursday, February 2\st. — * * * * The newspapers 
state that there are seven Yankee ships in pursuit of us — four 
steamers and three sail-ships. Three of the steamers were at 
Teneriffe on the 11th of January. A report has reached us that 
our Paymaster and ex-Consul Tunstall are prisoners in Tangier ! 
Received a letter from Captain Warden, informing me that the 
Governor had prohibited all vessels in the harbour from making 
signals, and had prohibited the Tuscarora from communicating 
with the harbour by boats so long as she remained in Spanish 
waters, &c. 

Saturday, February 2,2nd. — The report is confirmed of the 
illegal imprisonment in Tangier of Paymaster Myers and Mr. 
Tunstall. 



CHAPTER X. 

The Tangier difficulty — Loyalty of United States Consuls — A daring 
act — Imprisonment of the two Confederates — Captain Semmes' appeal 
— No results — An armed force from the Ino — Threatened rescue — 
Neutrality again — Foreign Office intelligence — The Harvest Home — 
Garnered. 

The imprisonment of the two gentlemen alluded to at the con- 
clusion of the last chapter, is an episode in the history of the 
Sumter which demands something more than mere passing notice. 
When the news of the occurrence reached England it excited a 
considerable amount of attention, as not only did the case exhibit 
some curious phases of the working of the law of "strict neutral- 
ity," but it also afforded a very excellent idea of the marvellous 
loyalty of one of the United States Consuls. Reference has been 
previously made to the zealous conduct of the consular officials of 
the North. 

It has been shown that at Maranham, Cayenne, Paramaribo, 



88 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

Cadiz, and Gibraltar, the respective Yankee Consuls acted upon 
the broad principle that every Confederate was the natural enemy 
of the United States, and a rebel to boot. Not content with 
simply holding this opinion, the task these gentlemen set them- 
selves was, to indoctrinate the Governments of the several countries 
in which they were located with the same views of the case. In 
some cases they succeeded so far as to cause considerable vexation 
to Captain Semmes ; and if they failed to convince the authorities, 
that the Sumter was a piratical craft, they at least succeeded in 
occasionally entailing needless delays in obtaining those necessary 
supplies, which as an officer in the service of a country recognised 
as a belligerent, the commander of the Sumter had a right to 
demand. 

The Tangier Consul, however, went far beyond his brethren, for 
he not only demanded, but succeeded in effecting the arrest and 
imprisonment of an officer and a citizen of the Confederate States. 
These gentlemen, Mr. Myers, the Paymaster of the Sumter, and 
Mr. Tunstall, a private Southern gentleman, had been despatched 
by Captain Semmes from Gibraltar to Cadiz, in search of coal. 
The vessel in which they embarked touched at Tangier, and the 
two Americans landed for the purpose of inspecting the curious 
old Moorish city. No sooner were they on shore than the 
United States Consul hastened to the authorities, denounced his 
enemies, and demanded their arrest, alleging that it was authorized 
by treaty stipulation with the United States. After vainly im- 
ploring advice from the representatives of the Christian Powers, 
the sorely perplexed authorities complied with this demand, and 
the two Confederates were seized, heavily ironed, and kept prisoners 
in the Consul's house. At the very first opportunity they com- 
municated with Captain Semmes, and he with his usual prompti- 
tude at once despatched the following letter to the Governor of 
Gibraltar : — 

C. S. Steamer Sumter, Bay of Gibraltar, 
February 22nd, 1802. 

Sir, — I have the honour to ask the good offices of His Excel- 
lency the Governor of Gibraltar in a matter purely my own. On 
Wednesday last, I despatched from this port, in. a French passage- 
steamer for Cadiz, on business connected with this ship, my Pay- 
master, Mr. Henry Myers, and Mr. T. T. Tunstall, a citizen of the 
Confederate States, and ex-United States Consul at Cadiz. The 
steamer having stopped on her way at Tangier, and these gentle- 
men having gone on shore for a walk during her temporary delay 
there, they were seized by the authorities, at the instigation of the 
United States Consul, and imprisoned. A note from Paymaster 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 89 

Myers informs me they are both heavily ironed, and otherwise 
treated in a barbarous manner. 

I learn further that the pretence upon which the unlawful pro- 
ceeding was had, is, that it is authorized by treaty stipulation with 
the United States. Unfortunately I have not a copy of this treaty 
in my possession ; but I presume it provides in the usual form, for 
the extradition of criminals, and nothing more. I need not say to 
his Excellency that treaties of this description are never applied 
to political offenders — which I presume is the only category in 
which the United States Consul pretends to place these two gen- 
tlemen. An occurrence of this kind could not have happened, of 
course, in a civilized community. The political ignorance of the 
Moorish Government has been shamefully practised upon by the 
unscrupulous Consul. I understand that the British Government 
has a diplomatic agent resident at Tangier, and a word from that 
gentleman would no doubt set the matter right, and insure the re- 
lease of the unfortunate prisoners. And it is to interest this gen- 
tleman in this humane task that I address myself to his Excellency. 
May I not ask the favour of his Excellency, under the peculiar cir- 
cumstances of the case, to address Mr. Hay a note on the subject, 
explaining to him the facts, and requesting his interposition? If 
any official scruples present themselves, the thing might be done 
in his character as a private gentleman. The Moorish Govern- 
ment would not hesitate a moment, if it understood correctly the 
facts and principles of the case ; to wit, that the principal powers 
of Europe have recognised the Confederate States as belligerents, in 
their war against the United States, and that, consequently, the 
act of making war against these States by the citizens of the Con- 
federate States, is not an offence, political or otherwise, of which 
a neutral can take cognizance ; and even if it were the former, no 
extradition treaty is ever meant to apply to such a case. 

I have the honour, &c. &c. 
(Signed) R. Semmes. 

Capt. S. Freeling, Col. Sec. 

This letter was unattended with success, the maintenance of 
strict neutrality being a barrier in the way of any interference on 
the part of the British authorities at Gibraltar. Accordingly, 
Captain Semmes penned the subjoined formal protest, and de- 
spatched it to the Governor of Tangier. 

C. S. Steamer of war Sumter, Bay of Gibraltar, 
February 23rd, 1S62. 
His Excellency the Governor of Tangier, Morocco : 

I have the honour to inform your Excellency that intelligence 



90 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

has reached me of the imprisonment hy the Moorish Government 
at Tangier, of Mr. Henry Myers, the Paymaster of this ship, and 
Mr. T. T. Tun stall, a citizen of the Confederate States, and late 
United States Consul at Cadiz. I learn further, that these gentle- 
men are heavily ironed, and otherwise treated with inhumanity. 
I am utterly at a loss to conceive on what ground this illegal im- 
prisonment can have taken place ; though I learn that the United 
States Consul demanded it, under some claim of extradition treaty 
stipulation. A word or two will suffice to set this matter right. 
It must, of course, be known to your Excellency, that the Con- 
federate States have been acknowledged by the principal powers 
of Europe, as belligerents in the war in which they are engaged 
with the United States ; and that, consequently, the Paymaster 
of this ship, in any act of war in which he may have participated, 
can have been guilty of no offence, political or otherwise, of which 
any neutral power can take cognizance. Indeed, as before stated, 
the neutral powers of Europe have expressly recognised the light 
of the Confederate States to make war agains,t the United States. 
No extradition treaty therefore can apply to Paymaster Myers. 
Mr. Tunstall not being in the military or naval service of the Con- 
federate States, can no more be brought within the terms of any 
such treaty than Paymaster Myers. I have, therefore,' respectfully 
to demand, in the name of my Government, and in accordance 
with the laws and practice of nations, that these two citizens of 
the Confederate States be set at liberty. 

I have the honour, &c, &c. 

(Signed) R. Semmes. 

Determined to leave no stone unturned, the Commander of the 
Sumter sought to interest the British Charge d' Affaires in the fate 
of the two prisoners, as will be seen by the annexed letter : — 

C. 8. Steamer Sumter, Bay of Gibraltar, 
February 28rd," 1S64. 

Sir, — May I ask of you the favour to act unofficially for me in 
a matter of humanity, by handing to the proper officer the en- 
closed communication, demanding the release from imprisonment 
in Tangier of the Paymaster of this ship, and of Mr. T. T. Tun- 
stall, a citizen of the Confederate States. The Moorish authorities 
have evidently been imposed upon by false representations as to 
the character and status of these gentlemen. I hear that the 
United States Consul demanded their imprisonment under some 
extradition treaty. The absurdity of such a claim will of course 
be apparent to you. We are recognised belligerents ; our acts of 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 91 

war are legal therefore, so far as all neutrals are concerned, and it 
cannot be pretended that any officer of this ship can have com- 
mitted any offence in any act of war in which he may have par- 
ticipated against the United States, which Morocco can take cog- 
nizance of, or bring under the terms of any extradition treaty. 
I have the honour to be, <fec, &c. 

(Signed) R. Semmes. 

John Hay Drummond Hay, C B., 

H. M. Charge d'Affaires, Tangier, Marocco. 

On the 24th Mr. Hay replied, and the following extract from 
his communication will best explain the grounds he assumed : — 
"You," he writes, " must be aware that Her Britannic Majesty's 
Government have decided on observing a strict neutrality in the 
present conflict between the Northern and Southern States ; it is 
therefore incumbent on Her Majesty's officers to avoid anything 
like undue interference in any questions affecting the interests of 
either party which do not concern the British government ; and 
though I do not refuse to accede to your request to deliver the 
letter to the Moorish authorities, I think it my duty to signify 
distinctly to the latter my intention to abstain from expressing an 
opinion regarding the course to be pursued by Morocco on the 
subject matter of your letter." 

To this despatch Captain Semmes forthwith replied, and his 
letter is remarkable for the able manner in which the question of 
neutrality is dealt with. After thoroughly reviewing the transac- 
tion, he sums up as follows : — 

" Upon further inquiry I learn that my first supposition that the 
two gentlemen in question had been arrested under some claim of 
extradition (unfortunately I have not a copy of the treaty between 
Morocco and the United States) was not exactly correct. It seems 
that they were arrested by Moorish soldiers upon the requisition 
of the United States Consul, who claimed to exercise jurisdiction 
over them as citizens of the United States, under a provision of a 
treaty common between what are called the non-civilized and the 
civilized nations. This state of facts does not alter in any degree 
the reasoning applicable to the case. If Morocco adopts the status 
given the Confederate States by Europe, she must remain neutral 
between the two belligerents, not undertaking to judge of the na- 
tionality of the citizens of either of the belligerents, or to decide 
any other question growing out of the war which does not concern 
her own interests. She has no right, therefore, to adjudge a citi- 
zen of the Confederate States to be a citizen of the United States, 
and not having this right herself she cannot transfer it by treaty 
to the United States Consul." 



92 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

The communication, however, produced no effect; and, moan- 
while, another step was taken at Tangier. The United States 
frigate I no no sooner learnt the news of the capture made by the 
Consul than it ran over to Tangier, sent a boat on shore with 
armed men, and carried off the prisoners. This proceeding was 
not, however, allowed to be performed quite so quietly as the Yan- 
kees could have wished. The Christian population, exasperated at 
the arrest, turned out in force, and fears were entertained that even 
the forty men from the Ino would not be able to secure the safety 
of their prize. But here the neutral powers were of assistance : 
their representatives, with Mr. Drummond Hay at their head, came 
to the aid of the captors, calmed the mob, and thus averting the 
threatened rescue, enabled the United States to carry off the two 
Confederates on board the Ino. 

Captain Semmes, finding he could do nothing with the authori- 
ties at Tangier, communicated with Mr. Mason, the Confederate 
commissioner in London, and that gentleman made strong repre- 
sentations at the Foreign Office, with what results the following 
statements of facts will show. 

It was on the 28th of February that the captives were finally 
carried off from neutral territory, by an armed force from an ene- 
my's ship. On the 8th of March, Mr. Mason was informed by the 
Under-Secretary, that the British Government was under the im- 
pression that they had been released from confinement. On the 
6th of March, just two days before Mr. Mason received this intelli- 
gence, the Ino, which had run back to Cadiz, transferred the two 
unfortunate prisoners to the Yankee merchant ship, Harvest Home, 
which carried them away to a prison in the United States. 

Such was the history of the Tangier difficulty — a question 
which, at the time, created considerable stir in Europe, and which 
is likely to leave a lasting impression upon the Southern mind. 



CHAPTER XI. 

" The poor old Sumter' 11 — The vessel laid up — What the Sumter did — 
Official report — A narrow escape — Movements of Captain Semmes — 
Useful missions — Appointment to the Alabama. 

Meanwhile the search for coal had been continued by the Sum- 
ter and at length a promise of a supply had been obtained. It 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 93 

so happened, however, that this supply, so long sought and so 
hardly won, would after all never be required. 

The little Sumter's days as a cruiser were numbered. By no 
means a new boat when first converted by Captain Semmes into a 
vessel of war, the hard work and rough usage she had experienced in 
her seven months at sea, had been too much for her already enfeebled 
constitution, and she was now little better than a wreck. At last 
she fairly broke down altogether, was surveyed by a board of 
her officers, pronounced unseaworthy, and on the 24th of February 
Captain Semmes makes the following entry in his journal : — 

*' And so the poor old Sumter is to be laid up. Well ! we have 
done the country some service, having cost the United States at 
least a million of dollars, one way or another!" 

And so she unquestionably had. Eighteen vessels captured ; 
seven burned, with all their cargo on board ; and two released on 
heavy ransom bonds, represent in themselves no inconsiderable 
amount of damage. Add to this the amount really expended in 
pursuit of her ; the enormously increased rates of insurance ; the 
heavy losses from reluctance to entrust goods in United States 
bottoms, or to send ships themselves to sea under the United 
States colours, and we have an aggregate of loss that a million of 
dollars can hardly cover. 

Her career was now over ; but she was ere long to find a suc- 
cessor under the same command, beside whose exploits her own 
were to sink almost into insignificance. The events of the few 
months that elapsed between the final abandonment of the Sum- 
ter and the Alabama's start on her adventurous career, may best 
be gathered from Captain Semmes' own official report to the 
Secretary of the Navy at Richmond. 

Nassau, New Providence, June 15 to 20, 1862. 

Sir, — I have the honour to inform you of my arrival at this 
place, on the 8th instant, in twenty days, from London. I found 
here Lieutenants Maffit and Sinclair, and received from the former 
your letter of May 29th, enclosing a copy of your despatch to 
me of May 2d. As you might conclude from the fact of my 
being here, the original of the latter communication had not 
reached me ; nor, indeed, had any communication whatever from 
the department. As you anticipated, it became necessary for me 
to abandon the Sumter, in consequence of my being hemmed in 
by the enemy in a place where it was impossible to put the neces- 
sary repairs upon her to make her fit to take the sea. For some 
days after my arrival at Gibraltar, I had hopes of being able to 
reach another English or a French port, where I might find 



94 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

the requisite facilities for repair, and I patched my boilers, and 
otherwise prepared ray ship for departure. In consequence of a 
combination of the coal merchants against me, however, I was pre- 
vented from coaling ; and, in the meantime, the enemy's steamers, 
Tuscarora and Kearsarge, and the sailing sloop Ino, too, arrived 
and blockaded me. ' Notwithstanding the arrival of these vessels, 
I should have made an effort to go to sea, but for the timely dis- 
covery of further defects in my boilers, which took place under 
the following circumstances : — An English steamer, having arrived 
from Liverpool with an extra quantity of coal on board, offered 
to supply me. I got steam up to go alongside of her for the pur- 
pose, when, with a very low pressure, my boilers gave way in so 
serious a manner as to extinguish the fires in one of the furnaces. 
I was obliged, of course, to "blow off;" and upon a re-examina- 
tion of the boilers, by a board of survey, it was ascertained that 
they had been destroyed to such an extent as to render them 
entirely untrustworthy. It was found, indeed, to be necessary 
either to supply the ship with new boilers or to lift the old ones 
out of her, and renew entirely the arches and other important 
parts of them, which could only be done in a machinist's shop, 
and with facilities not to be found at Gibraltar. In this state of 
tilings, it became necessary, in my judgment, either to lay the 
ship up, or to sell her. Of course, the remaining by her of my- 
self, my officers and crew, in her disabled and useless condition, 
was not to be thought of. Still, I felt that the responsibility was 
a grave one ; and deeming it more respectful to the department 
that it should be assumed by some one higher in authority than 
myself, I reported the facts to the Hon. James M. Mason, our 
commissioner in London, and requested him to assume the power.* 

* The following is the letter here referred to : — 

C. S. Steamer Sumter, Bay of Gibraltar, 
March 3rd, 1862. 
Sir, — I had the honour to address you a note a day or two ago, requesting 
you to assume the responsibility of giving me an order to lay the Sumter up, 
that my officers and myself may return to the Confederate States, to take a 
more active part in the war. I now enclose you a copy of a letter addressed 
to me by the wardroom officers of this ship on the same subject, by which 
you will perceive that there is no difference of opinion between us as to the 
policy and propriety of the step indicated. Each succeeding mail is bringing 
us intelligence that the enemy is pressing us on all sides, and it would seem 
that we shall have occasion for every arm and all our energies and resources 
to defend ourselves. The most that we could hope to accomplish by remain- 
ing where we are would be, perhaps, to occupy the attention of an additional 
steamer of the enemy. One steamer will always remain to watch the ship, 
in whatever condition she may be ; and probably no more than two would 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 95 

This he did very promptly, and in a few days afterwards I dis- 
charged and paid off in full all the crew, except ten men, and 
detached all the officers, except Midshipman Armstrong and a 
Master's Mate. I placed Mr. Armstrong in charge of the ship, 
supplied him with money and provisions sufficient for himself and 
his diminished crew for ten months, and departed myself for Lon- 
don, whither most of the officers also repaired on their way to the 
Confederate States. Upon my arrival in London, I found that the 
Oreto (Florida) had been despatched some weeks before to this 
place ; and Commander Bullock having informed me that he had 
your orders to command the second ship he was building, him- 
self, I had no alternative but to return to the Confederate States 
for orders. It is due to Commander Bullock to say, that he 
offered to place himself entirely under my orders, and even to 
relinquish to me the command of the ship he was building ; but 
I did not feel at liberty to interfere with your orders. Whilst in 
London, I ascertained that a number of steamers were being pre- 
pared to run the blockade with arms, &c, and instead of despatch- 
ing my officers at once for the Confederate States, I left men to 
take charge of these ships, as they should be gotten ready, and 
run them in, deeming this the best service they could render the 
Government under the circumstances. I came hither myself 
(accompanied by my First-Lieutenant and Surgeon), a passenger in 

continue the blockade if the officers remained by her. The enemy, having 
some 300 armed ships afloat, one ship would seem to make no appreciable 
difference in his offensive force. I would not press this matter upon you so 
earnestly if there was any certainty of my hearing from the Secretary of the 
Navy in any reasonable time ; but my despatches are liable to capture, as 
are his despatches to me, and many months may therefore elapse before I 
can receive his orders. I can readily understand how, under ordinary cir- 
cumstances, you might hesitate about giving me this order, but there are 
frequent occasions in which responsibility must be assumed, and I respectfully 
suggest that this is one of them. To lay the Sumter up without an order 
from the naval department involves responsibility either in you or in me ; 
and, as I stated to you in my last note, it appears to me that the responsi- 
bility may be assumed by you with more propriety than by myself, as you 
are a high functionary of the Government, while I am a mere subordinate 
of a department. The question of expense, too, is to be considered — the 
expenses of the ship, with the utmost economy, being, in round numbers, 
1000 dollars per month. Should you decide upon giving me the order, do 
me the favour to telegraph me as follows, viz. : — "Your request is granted — 
act accordingly." Address me also by mail, as it will take some days to 
wind up affairs, and I shall have ample time to receive your letter before 
leaving for London. 

Respectfully, &c. &c. 

(Signed) R. Semmes. 

Hon. Jas. Mason, Com., &c, London. 



96 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

the British steamer Melita, laden with arms, &c, with the same 
intention. It is fortunate that I made this arrangement, as many 
of my officers still remain in London, and I shall be able to detain 
them there, to take them with me in the execution of your order 
of the 2nd of May, assigning me to the command of the Alabama. 
In obedience to this order 1 shall return by the first conveyance 
to England, when the joint energies of Oommander Bullock and 
myself will be dedicated to the preparation of this ship for sea. 
I will take with me Lieut. Kell, Surgeon Gait, and Lieutenant of 
Marines, Howell — Mr. Howell and Lieut. Stribling having reached 
this port a few days before me, in the British steamer Bahama, 
from Hamburgh, laden with arms, &c, for the Confederacy. At 
the earnest entreaty of Lieut. Commanding Maffit, I have con- 
sented to permit Lieut. Stribling to remain with him as his First 
Lieut., on board the Florida ; and the Florida's officers not yet 
having arrived, Mr. Stribling's place on board the Alabama will 
be filled by Midshipman Armstrong, promoted. 

It will, doubtless, be a matter of some delicacy and manage- 
ment to get the Alabama safely out of British waters without 
suspicion, as Mr. Adams, the Northern envoy, and his numerous 
satellites are exceedingly vigilant in their espionage. We cannot, 
of course, think of arming her in a British port. This must be 
done at some concerted rendezvous, to which her battery (and the 
most of her crew) must be sent in a merchant vessel. 

The Alabama will be a fine ship, quite equal to encounter any 
of the enemy's sloops of the class of the Dacotab, Iroquois, Tus- 
carora, &c. ; and I shall feel much more independent in her upon 
the high seas than I did in the little Sumter. I think well of 
your suggestion of the East Indies as a cruising-ground, and hope 
to be in the track of the enemy's commerce in those seas as early as 
October or November next, when I shall doubtless be able to make 
other rich " burnt-offerings" upon the altar of our country's liberties. 

Lieutenant Sinclair having informed me that you said, in a 
conversation with him, that I might dispose of the Sumter either 
by laying ber up or selling her, as my judgment might approve, I 
will, unless I receive contrary orders from you, dispose of her by 
sale upon my arrival in Europe. As the war is likely to continue 
for two or three years yet, it would be an useless expense to keep 
a vessel so comparatively worthless so long at her anchors. I will 
cause to be sent to the Alabama her chronometers, charts, <fec, 
and I will transfer to the vessel her remaining officers and crew. 

In conclusion, permit me to thank you very sincerely for this 
new proof of your confidence, and for your kind intention to 
nominate me as -one of the " Captains" under the new Navy Bill. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 97 

I trust I shall prove myself worthy of these marks of your ap- 
probation. 

(Signed) R. Semmes. 

Hon. S. Mallory, Sec of the Navy. 



CHAPTER XII. 

The new vessel — Aide toi et Dieu faidera — Accommodation on board — 
Cost — Laws of neutrality — Necessary caution — The 29th of Jidy — A 
breakfast party — The scene changed — Off — The pursuit — Too late. 

The vessel to which Captain Semmes was now appointed had 
been built expressly for the Confederate navy, by Messrs. Laird 
and Sons, of Biikenhead. She was a small fast screw steam-sloop, 
of 1040 tons register, not ironclad, as was at one time erroneously 
supposed, but built entirely of wood, and of a scantling and gene- 
ral construction, in which strength had been less consulted than 
speed. Her length over all was about 220 feet, length of keel, 
210 feet; breadth of beam, 32 feet, and 18 feet from deck to keel. 
She carried two magnificent engines, on the horizontal principle, 
constructed by the same firm, and each of the power of 300 horses ; 
while her coal-bunkers were calculated to accommodate about 350 
tons of coal. 

The Alabama, or as she should as yet be called, "No. 290," 
was barque-rigged, her standing gear being formed throughout of 
w ire rope ; thus combining strength with lightness to the utmost 
possible extent. Her ordinary suit of sails consisted of the usual 
square sails in the foremast, fore topmast staysail and jib, large 
fore and main topsails, maintop sail, topgallant sail and royal, and 
on the mizen-mast spanker and gaff topsail. Occasionally, this 
rig would be varied, as was the case in entering Cherbourg, just 
before the close of her eventful career, when a crossjack yard was 
-got up across the mizen-mast, with mizen topsail and topgallant 
yards to match ; and the Alabama assumed for a time the ap- 
pearance of a full-rigged ship. This, however, was only a tempo- 
rary ruse, and her ordinary cruising sails were similar to those 
commonly in use with vessels of her class. 

A little forward of the mizen-mast was placed the steering 
apparatus, a large double wheel, inscribed with the significant 
words : Aide toi et Dieu faidera ; a motto which, in the case 

5 



98 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

of the Alabama, has been better acted up to than such legends 
usually are. Just before the funnel, and near the centre of the 
vessel, was the bridge, at either side of which hung the two 
principal boats, cutter and launch ; a gig, and whale-boat, being 
suspended from the davits on either side of the quarter-deck, and 
a small dingy over the stern. On the main deck she was pierced 
for twelve guns, with two heavy pivot guns amidships. Her 
lines were beautifully fine, with sharp flaring bows, billet head, 
and elliptic sEern. The cabin accommodation was perhaps some- 
what scanty, but this, in so small a vessel, built altogether for 
speed, not comfort, was scarcely to be avoided. The semicircular 
stern-cabin was, of course, appropriated to the captain, with a 
small stateroom opening out from it in the starboard side. For- 
ward of this came the companion ladder, and forward of this 
again the wardroom, or senior officers' mess, with small cabins 
on either side for the lieutenants, surgeon, and other officers. 
Passing through the wardroom, the visitor entered the gunroom, 
or "steerage," allotted on the starboard side to the midshipmen, 
and on the port to the engineers. Next came the engine-room, 
occupying an unusual space for a vessel of the Alabama's size ; 
the coal bunkers, &c. ; and finally, the berth-deck, or forecastle, 
with accommodation for 120 men. The lower portion of the 
vessel was divided into three compartments, of about equal 
dimensions. In the aftermost were store-rooms, shell-rooms, <fec. ; 
the midship section contained the furnaces and fire-rooms ; whilst 
the forward compartment was occupied by the hold, the maga- 
zines, and the boatswain's and carpenter's stores. 

Such was the Alabama, or, as she was long called, "No. 290;" 
and considering the peculiar circumstances under which she was 
built, the numerous requirements to be satisfied, and the perfec- 
tion of the workmanship throughout the vessel, the cost of her 
construction and armament cannot but be considered marvellously 
small. The builder's charge for hull, spars, sails, boats, cable, and 
all equipment, except armament, was £47,500. To this must be 
added the cost of her batteries, £2500; magazine tanks, £616; 
ordnance stores, £500 ; and small arms, £600, making a total 
cost of £51,716, or in American money, of 250,305.44 dollars. 

It must not be supposed, however, that in leaving the building- 
yard of Messrs. Laird, the Alabama's equipment was by any 
means complete. The strictest injunctions had been given both 
to Captain Bullock and Captain Semmes, to avoid doing anything 
that would by any possibility be construed into an infringement 
of either the municipal law, or the anxiously-guarded neutrality 
of England ; and as the Foreign Enlistment Act clearly forbade 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 99 

the equipment of ships of war for belligerent uses, it was necessary 
that the new cruiser should leave England unarmed, and take her 
chance of capture, until some safe place could be found for taking 
her armament on board. 

This was, of course, a delicate operation, and one requiring the 
preservation of strict secresy, that the cruisers of the United 
States might at least not be enabled to pounce upon their new 
enemy, until she had been placed to some extent in a con- 
dition for self-defence. Nor was this the only ground on which 
caution had to be observed. The career of the Sumter had given 
Captain Semmes a clearer idea than he had probably before 
possessed of the precise meaning of the word neutrality, as 
applied to the present war, and there was too much at stake to 
run the risk of detention from any such views of its obligations 
as had been put forward in the case of his captive officer at 
Tangier. The law of the case might be — he certainly thought it 
was — clear enough ; but there was no use in throwing temptation 
in the way of those by whom it was to be interpreted. The 
recent cases of the Alexandria, the El Tousson, and the El 
Monassir, have shown with sufficient clearness that this calculation 
was tolerably correct. 

Accordingly, the reticence which has so distinctively marked 
the men of the South throughout the struggle, was most reli- 
giously observed in the case of the Alabama. It was impossible, 
of course, altogether to conceal from the diligent researches of Mr. 
Adams' spies the fact of her destination. But beyond having a 
strong suspicion that the vessel so rapidly approaching completion 
in Messrs. Laird's yard was intended for the Confederate States, 
these astute gentlemen were altogether at fault. This, however, 
was enough, and on the application of Mr. Adams an order was 
despatched to the Customs' authorities at Liverpool to seize the 
ship, and prevent her from going to sea. 

Fortunately for the Confederate vessel her friends were equally 
on the watch, and tidings of the projected seizure were promptly 
conveyed to Birkenhead. It was necessary now to act with 
promptitude, and the final preparations were pushed on with the 
utmost speed. At length, at a quarter past nine on the morning 
of the 29th July, 1862, the anchor was got up for the first time 
since she had been afloat, and the " No. 290" dropped slowly 
down the Mersey, anchoring that afternoon in Moelfra Bay. 

Even this, however, could not be carried out without considera- 
ble precaution, and it was necessary, as a blind to the suspicious 
eyes so constantly employed in watching every movement of the 
sorely suspected vessel, to announce that she was merely proceed- 



100 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

ing for a short trial trip. To give colour to this pretence, to 
which her even then unfinished condition lent & prima facie sanc- 
tion, a gay party was assembled on board. A number of ladies, 
friends and acquaintances of the builders, enlivened the narrow, 
and as yet rough and unfinished deck with their bright cos- 
tumes, and seemed to afford a sufficient guarantee for the return 
of the vessel to port. Luncheon was spread in the cabin, flags 
decorated the seats hastily improvised on the sacred quarter-deck, 
and all seemed bent upon making holiday. 

Suddenly, however, the scene changed. At a signal from the 
Alabama a small steam tug came puffing alongside, and to the 
visitors' great astonishment they were politely requested to step 
on board. Relieved of her gay cargo, the transformation of the 
Alabama proceeded with rapidity. The luncheon had been 
already cleared away, and now seats and flags, and all the rest 
of the holiday paraphernalia began speedily to disappear. Late 
that evening and all the next day the bustle of preparation con- 
tinued, and at two o'clock in the morning of the 31st July the an- 
chor was once more weighed, and with a strong breeze from 
the S. W. the "No. 290" started off, ostensibly on a voyage to 
Nassau in the Bahamas. 

Just in time. That morning the seizure was to have been 
made. At the very moment that " No. 290" was heaving up her 
anchor, a huge despatch " On Her Majesty's Service " was travel- 
ling down to Liverpool, at the top speed of the north-western 
mail, commanding the Customs' authorities to lay an embargo 
on the ship. The morning was still but very slightly advanced 
when through the driving south-westerly squalls came the gold- 
laced officials in search of their prize, only to return in outward 
appearance considerably crestfallen, inwardly perhaps not alto- 
gether so deeply grieved as a good neutral should have been at 
the ill success of their uncomfortable trip. 

Two days more and another actor appeared upon the scene. 
Like her colleague at Tangier, the United States frigate Tuscarora 
had got scent of a valuable prey, and hurried round to the Mersey 
at full speed of sail and steam to secure it. But by the time she 
arrived at Moelfra Bay, the "No. 290" was already a couple of 
days upon her outward voyage. The game was up, and the only 
resource of the baffled Yankee now lay ,in scolding poor Earl 
Russell, who certainly had been no willing agent in the escape of 
the daring little Confederate cruiser. 



CKUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 101 



CHAPTER XIII. 

11 No. 290" at sea — The rendezvous — Small mishaps — Good qualities of 
the new ship — Nearly discovered — The captain — Terceira — Anxiety 
about the crew — Coaling and arming — Getting to rights— Ready for 
the cruise. 

"No. 290" ran rapidly before the S.W. gale up the Irish Chan- 
nel, and past the Isle of Man and Ailsa Crag, till as the columns 
of the Giant's Causeway began to loom dimly through the driving 
rain she rounded to, laid her raaintopsail to the mast, and sent a 
boat on shore with the pilot and Captain Bullock, who up to this 
time had been in command of the vessel. She was now trans- 
ferred to the charge of Captain J. Butcher, late of the Cunard 
service, her other temporary officers being — Chief Lieutenant, J. 
Law, of Savannah, Georgia ; second, Mr. G. Townley Fullam, of 
Hull, England ; Surgeon, D. H. Llewellyn, of Easton, Wilts ; 
Paymaster, C. R. Yonge, of Savannah, Georgia ; and Chief En- 
gineer, J. McNair, an Englishman. The crew, the greater number 
of whom had been taken on board in Moelfra Bay, numbered 
abont seventy men and boys, and were shipped for a feigned 
voyage, the Confederate captain trusting to the English love of 
adventure, to induce them to re-ship when the true destination 
of the vessel came to be declared. 

Bidding adieu to the Irish coast she now shaped her course for 
Terceira, one of the Western Islands, where she was to meet her 
consort, and receive on board the guns and other warlike stores, 
she had been restrained by respect for English law, from shipping 
in Liverpool. Throughout this run, which occupied nine days, 
the wind still continued blowing a strong gale from the southward 
and westward, with a heavy sea running, through which " No. 
290 " dashed along sometimes at a speed of upwards of thirteen 
knots an hour. It was not, however, without a certain amount 
of risk that this pace was maintained. Amongst other less serious 
damages the bow port was stove in by a heavy sea, and altogether 
the vessel showed manifest symptoms of the speed at which she 
had been driven. But accidents of this kind were of minor im- 
portance compared with the supreme value of time. Once fairly 
off, and the news of the escape must spread rapidly through the 
kingdom. The first whisper of it would bring the enemy's ships 
in pursuit, and a single hour's delay in reaching her destination 
and placing herself in a condition for self-defence, might bring one 



102 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

• 

of them alongside, and the career of the new cruiser be cut short 
before it had fairly begun. So "No. 290" "crashed on" at top 
speed, and on the lOlh of August "Land, ho !" was called from 
the foremast-head, and she brought up at Porto" Praya in Ter- 
ceira. 

During this trying voyage the new vessel had given full promise 
of those splendid qualities as a seaboat, on which depended so 
much of the extraordinary success of her after career. She was, 
of course, by no means in the best trim for sailings whilst every- 
thing about her being bran new was in the worst possible condi-* 
tion, short of being quite worn out, in which to enter on so severe 
a trial. She came through it however most triumphantly, exhi- 
biting a speed and ease of motion rarely to be found in combination. 
All hands arrived at Terceira in the best spirits, and highly de- 
lighted with their new ship. 

The bay of Porto Praya, in which " No. 290 " was anchored 
is of no very great extent, but presents excellent holding ground 
for vessels, aud is sheltered from all but easterly winds. Three or 
four small forts occupy positions on the shore, but appear never to 
have been armed, and are at present falling rapidly into decay. 
The bay itself is secluded, and not particularly well supplied with 
the means of sustenance, fruit and vegetables being tolerably plen- 
tiful, but water very scarce, and beef a luxury only to be obtained 
by importing it from Angra, on the other side of the island. The 
officers however were kindly and hospitably received by the in- 
habitants, and the best the place afforded placed at their disposal. 

As yet the expected consort of the Confederate vessel had not 
arrived, and some anxiety was felt by Captain Butcher and his 
brother officers, as day after day passed by, and no signs of her 
appeared. On the 13th August, expectations were aroused by the 
cry of " Sail, ho ! " but the new comer proved to be only a Yan- 
kee whaling schooner, from Provincetown ; and additional anxiety 
was occasioned on her arrival by the indiscretion of one of the 
ship's company, by whom the real character and design of " No. 
290 " was betrayed to the United States schooner, the speedy de- 
parture of which, after learning the news, seemed ominous of 
trouble. 

At last, on the 18th, a large barque was observed steering for 
the brig, and on a nearer approach proved to be the long-looked- 
for ship. She was the Agrippina, of London, Captain McQueen, 
with a cargo of ammunition, coal, stores of various descriptions, 
and six thirty-two pounders. Once lashed alongside the sloop, 
and all haste was made to transfer her cargo, and the crews of the 
two vessels were busily engaged in this operation when, on the 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 103 

20th of August, the smoke of another steamer was seen on the 
horizon, and after a brief interval of suspense, lest the new comer 
should prove to be a United States vessel of war, in search of the 
escaped Confederate, the Bahama, Captain Tessier, made her num- 
ber, and three hearty cheers from the crew of " No. 290 " gave 
welcome to Captain Semmes, and the other officers late of the 
Sumter. 

Captain Semmes embarked on board the Bahama at Liverpool, 
on the morning of Wednesday, 13th August, joining the ship in a 
steam-tug, the Bahama having dropped down towards the mouth 
of the Mersey a few hours previously. Captain Bullock, who, as 
it has been said, had seen the new ship safely off upon her voyage 
before leaving her at the Giant's Causeway, and had reported the 
happy commencement of the adventure, accompanied him on board 
the Bahama, in which were also a number of seamen, shipped, 
like those on board "No. 290," for a feigned voyage, in the hope 
of inducing them to join when the ship was fairly in commission. 

As the tug left .us to return to the city — writes Captain Semmes 
— the crew gave us three hearty cheers, to which we responded. 
After a passage of seven days, we made the island of Terceira, and 
soon afterwards the port of Praya, at the eastern end of the island, 
our appointed rendezvous. As we approached the port we looked 
with eager eyes for " No. 290," and her consort, the Agrippina, 
which had been despatched to her from London with the arma- 
ment. Greatly to our satisfaction we soon discovered the spars, 
and then the hulls of both vessels lying snugly in the bay, and 
apparently in contact, and indicating the transhipment of the bat- 
tery, &c. 

At about 11.30 a.m. we steamed into the harbour, and were 
immediately boarded by Captain Butcher, who reported that he 
had already gotten on board all the heavy guns, and many of the 
paymaster's stores, &c. As the harbour is open to the east, and as 
the wind was blowing from the N. E., driving a considerable swell 
in, which caused the two vessels to lie very uneasily alongside of 
each other, I gave orders that they should both follow me to the bay 
of Angra, where we all anchored about 4 p.m. Hauled the two 
steamers alongside, and commenced discharging the two addi- 
tional guns. 

After having shown the new vessel to the seamen I had on board 
the Bahama (numbering thirty-seven), I addressed them, telling 
them that they were released from the contract they had entered 
into at Liverpool, and were now perfectly free to dispose of them- 
selves, and that I invited them to enter with me on board my ship. 



104 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

I spoke of the war, explained to them the object of ray contem- 
plated cruise, and the inducements held out to them of prize-money, 
<fec. This afternoon about one-half the number shipped ; the others 
hung back, perhaps, for better terms. There are, perhaps, some 
sea-lawyers among them influencing their determination. I moved 
ray baggage on board, and slept my first night on board ray new 
ship. Warned by the authorities that West Angra was not a port 
of entry, and that we must move to East Angra. 

Thursday, August 2\st. — Clear fine weather. I am charmed 
with the appearance of Terceira. Every square foot of the island 
seems to be under the most elaborate cultivation ; the little fields 
divided by hedgerows of what appeared to be sugar-cane. The 
white one-storied houses are dotted thickly among all this cultiva- 
tion, giving evidence of great populousness in this primitive para- 
dise — so far removed away from the world, and so little resorted 
to by commerce. Wind inclined to haul to the S.E., which will 
open us to the sea again, and I am, of course, quite anxious. Re- 
ceived a letter (or rather Captain Butcher, who is still the nomi- 
nal commander of the ship, did) from the English Consul, inform- 
ing us that the authorities still insisted upon our going round to 
East Angra. Replied that we had come in to receive coal from 
the barque in our company, &c, and that as the day seemed fine, 
and we should probably have a good lee for the purpose, I would 
go to sea without the marine league for the purpose. I knew they 
suspected me of arming as well as coaling, and hence I resorted 
to this step to quiet their apprehensions of my infringing their 
neutrality. 

Stood along the island — the Bahama in company and the barque 
alongside — and hoisted out the gun-carriages, and mounted as 
many of the guns as we could. Returned during the afternoon, 
and after nightfall anchored in East Angra, with the barque still 
alongside. We were hailed very vociferously as we passed in very 
bad English or Portuguese, we could not make out which, and a 
shot was fired at us. The Bahama, which was following, hauled off 
and stood off and on during the night ; we continued our course, 
and anchored about 8.30 p.m. Near midnight I was aroused from 
a deep sleep into which I had fallen after the fatigue and exer- 
tions of the day, and informed by the officer of the deck very 
coolly that the man-of-war schooner was firing into us. As I 
knew they did not dare to fire into me but were only firing at me, 
perhaps to alarm me into going out of the harbour, I directed the 
officer to take no notice of the proceeding. In the morning we 
learned that this had been a false alarm, and that the firing had 
been from the mail steamer to bring on board her passengers. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 105 

Had a talk with the old boatswain's-mate, who consented to go 
with me, and to use his best exertion to bring over to me all the 
good men over whom he could exercise influence. 

Friday, August 22nd. — Wind from the S.W., promising us a 
smooth day for our work. Called all hands at 6 a.m., and com- 
menced coaling. At 1 a.m. a number of Custom House oflicers 
and the English Consul came on board. Our coaling was sus- 
pended until the two ships could be entered at the Custom House. 
We lost a couple of hours by this visit, but I was gratified to learn 
as the result of it that we might remain quietly and continue our 
coaling, &c. 

We got the remaining guns into position ; got up and loaded 
some of the rifles ; opened a barrel of cartridges, and made sun- 
dry other hasty preparations for defense, in case any attempt 
should be made to seize the ship. At 11.30 a.m. signalled the 
Bahama, and brought her in to her anchors. Towards night the 
weather became rainy, and considerable sea setting in to the har- 
bour, we shoved the barque off to an anchor. During the night 
she dragged her anchor, and we were obliged to send a party on 
board her to let go another, to prevent her from dragging on shore. 
There was quite a row this evening on board the barque, ending in 
a general fight, the sailors by some means or other having managed 
to get drunk. 

Saturday, August 2Srd. — Morning cloudy and rainy. We 
were unable to get the barque alongside, so as to continue coaling 
before 9 a.m. Still we are hurrying the operation, and hope to be 
able to get through by night. We have all sorts of characters on 
board, but the crew is working quite willingly ; now and then a 
drunken or lazy vagabond turning up. The sharp fellows think- 
ing I am dependent upon them for a crew are holding back and 
trying to drive a hard bargain with me. 

Getting the battery to rights, and caulking the screw-well, 
which leaks badly when she is under way. Made some acting ap- 
pointments to fill up my officers. Eeceived on board a fine sup- 
ply of fresh provisions and vegetables for the crew. In this 
beautiful island all the fruits of the temperate and many of the 
torrid zone are produced. Pine-apples, pears, plums, and melons 
were brought off to us. 

We finished coaling, except seven or eight tons, by working 
until 9 p.m., when the men were fairly fagged out. Hauled the 
barque off, and resolved to go out with what coal I had on board, 
as to finish entirely would involve a delay of Sunday. 

5* 



106 ClfolSE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Sunday, 2ith August — Fairly afloat — Taking command- 1 - The white 
ensign — Ifission of the Alabama — The Modern Tar — At the pumps — 
Blowing hard — A fruitless chase — Short-handed — The Ocmulgee. 

Sunday seemed destined from the very first to be a notable day in 
the annals of the new Confederate cruiser. 

The morning of Sunday, the 24th August, found her afloat 
ready for sea ; the delicate operation of transhipping stores in an 
open roadstead safely accomplished, a supply of coal on board 
sufficient for some weeks of average steaming, and six of her guns 
mounted and ready to cast loose for action at a moment's notice. 
The early hours of the morning were occupied in washing down 
the decks which were covered thickly with coal, and making mat- 
ters above board as shipshape as under the circumstances could be 
managed. By noon this was finished, and all was ready for sea. 
A brief space was then devoted to the no less necessary operation 
of -dining, and at noon steam was got up, the anchor weighed, and 
" No. 290" stood out to sea, the Bahama still keeping her company. 

For about four or five miles the two vessels kept silently upon 
their course, until well beyond all possibility of dispute as to the 
too well-remembered maritime league of neutrality. Then as four 
bells sounded from the forecastle the crew were summoned aft, all 
heads were bared, and stepping in full uniform on to the quarter- 
deck, Captain Semmes proceeded in a voice clear and firm, but not 
altogether free from emotion, to read aloud to the assembled ships 
his commission from the President as Commander of the Confe- 
derate States Steam Sloop, Alabama. 

As he proceeded, the English flag which had been carried by 
the vessel during her days of incognito, was slowly lowered to the 
deck, and three little black balls might be seen wriggling their 
way swiftly but cautiously to the mastheads and mizen peak of the 
Alabama. Boom ! goes the starboard forecastle gun as the read- 
ing is ended. The three black balls are " broken out," the long 
pendant uncurls itself at the main, the red cross of St George 
flutters at the fore, and the pure white ensign of the Confederacy, 
with its starry blue cross upon the red ground of the corner, floats 
gracefully from the peak, as the little band breaks into the dash- 
ing strains of "Dixie," and three ringing cheers peal out over the 
sparkling sea. 

So far all had gone well and hopefully, and the enthusiasm of 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 107 

the moment had brought a flush to the cheek and a dimness to 
the eye of many a weather-beaten tar among the little crew. But 
enthusiasm is fleeting in these practical days, and the sound of the 
last cheer had scarcely died away upon the summer breeze ere the 
scene changed, and the true nineteenth century spirit resumed its 
sway. The ceremony of hoisting the flag and taking command 
completed, Captain Semmes called all hands aft upon the quarter- 
deck, and addressed them as he had previously addressed the crew 
of the Bahama, inviting them to ship with him in the Alabama 
for the cruise. 

The address is described by those who listened to it as most 
spirited and effective. It frankly avowed that the principal object 
of the Alabama was to cripple the commerce of the enemy. But 
this would not be her only aim. Prudence was essential, and he 
was not to fight a fifty-gun ship, but when the opportunity offered 
of engaging on anything like equal terms, the Alabama would be 
prompt enough to accept the combat. " Let me once see you," 
he said, in conclusion, "proficient in the use of your weapons, and 
trust me for very soon giving you an opportunity to show the 
world of what metal you are made." 

The address was greeted with an unanimous burst of cheers, 
and then came the anxious moment. " It may be supposed," 
writes Captain Semmes, in recording the events of that memora- 
ble day, " that I was very nervous about the success of this ope- 
ration, as the management of the ship at sea absolutely depended 
upon it." And of this fact the men were at least as fully aware 
as himself. Nor had they any scruples as to availing themselves 
most fully of the advantages of their situation. u The modern 
sailor," continues Captain Semmes, "has greatly changed in 
character. He now stickles for pay like a sharper, and seems to 
have lost his recklessness and love of adventure." However this 
latter proposition may be, the truth of the former was most amply 
proved on the day in question. Jack niggled and haggled, and 
insisted pertinaciously on the terms he felt his would-be Captain's 
necessity enabled him to command; and in the end Captain 
Semmes was fain to consent to the exorbitant rates of £4 10s. a 
month for seamen, £5 and £6 for petty officers, and £7 for fire- 
men! "I was glad," he writes, "to get them even upon these 
terms, as I was afraid a large bounty in addition would be de- 
manded of me." 

Very curious was the contrast afforded by this scene with the 
enthusiasm that had preceded, and the gallant, dashing, reckless 
career that followed it. These men who thus stood out for the 
last sixpence they could hope to wring from their employer's ne- 



108 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

cessity, were the same who subsequently clashed blindfold into the 
action with the Hatteras, and later yet, steamed quietly out of a 
safe harbour with a disabled ship, to meet an enemy in perfect 
trim and of superior force, and as their shattered vessel sank be- 
neath their feet, crowded round the very captain with whom the 
hard bargain had been driven, imploring him not to yield. 

Finally, the bargaining resulted in the shipping of a crew, all 
told, of eighty men ; a larger number, perhaps, than Captain 
Semmes had himself anticipated, but still not so many by at least 
twenty-five as were required for properly manning and fighting 
the vessel. With these, however, the Captain was fain to be 
content, trusting to volunteers from future prizes to complete his 
complement. A hard evening's work followed in preparing 
allotments of pay to be sent home to the sailors' wives, and also 
in paying their advance wages, and sending small drafts for them 
to agents in Liverpool. It was not till 11 p.m. that this task was 
completed, and then Captains Bullock and Butcher took a final 
farewell of the ship, and returned on board the Bahama, which 
with the remainder of the two crews steamed away for Liverpool, 
and the Confederate cruiser was left alone upon the wide ocean, 
and had fairly started on her adventurous career. 

No sooner had the two steamers parted company than sail was 
made on board the Alabama. The fires were let down, fore and 
main topsails were set, the ship's head turned to the N.E., and by 
midnight Captain Semmes was able to leave the deck, and 
thoroughly worn out with the day's excitement and exertions, 
turn in to an uneasy berth in search of a few hours' repose. 

Of this, however, there was not much to be obtained. The 
Alabama was no sooner under way than the wind began to 
freshen, and soon increased to a moderate gale. This was accom- 
panied by one of those ugly seaways so common in the North 
Atlantic, and the vessel rolled and tumbled in a manner sufficiently 
trying, without the addition of the manifold discomforts insepara- 
bly attendant on a first start. These, too, were, as may well be 
supposed, not a little aggravated by the hurried manner in which 
the transhipment of stores from the Agrippina and Bahama had 
perforce been conducted. Everything, in fact, was in the wildest 
confusion. The ship herself was dirty and unsettled, and her decks 
below lumbered in all directions with all manner of incongruous 
articles. No one was berthed or messed, nothing arranged or 
secured. Spare shot-boxes, sea-chests, and heavy articles of bag- 
gage or cabin furniture were fetching away to the destruction of 
crockery and other brittle ware, and the no small danger of limbs. 
While to crown all, the upper works of the vessel which had been 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER.- 10^ 

caulked in the damp atmosphere of an English winter, had open- 
ed out under the hot sun of the Azores through every seam, and 
the eternal clank, clank of the pumps, which it was fondly hoped 
had been heard for the last time when the poor, worn-out little Sum- 
ter had been laid up, played throughout the long night a dismal 
accompaniment to the creaking of the labouring vessel, and the 
wild howling of an Atlantic gale. 

So passed the Alabama's first night at sea. The next day the 
gale still continued, and hindered not a little the energetic exer- 
tions of the First Lieutenant, who, whilst Captain Semmes endea- 
voured, by snatching a few hours' sleep, to quiet his worn-out nerves, 
took his turn in the endeavour to bring something of order out of 
the apparently hopeless chaos, and gradually reduce the vessel 
to the trim and orderly condition proper to a well-commanded 
man-of-war. On the Tuesday the gale abated, though there were 
still the remains of a heavy sea. Topsails and gallantsails were set, 
and the propeller, which had hitherto been merely disconnected, 
and left to revolve, was hoisted up out of the water. 

Several days now passed in setting matters to rights, passing 
spare shot below, laying the racers for the pivot guns ; overhauling 
and stowing the magazines ; securing furniture, baggage, and 
other loose articles that had hitherto pretty well " taken charge" 
of the deck below ; and otherwise making things somewhat snug 
and shipshape, and preparing the vessel for self-defence in case of 
need. 

By Friday, August 29th, these preparations were nearly com- 
pleted, and in the early morning of that day the cry of " Sail, ho !" 
was heard for the first time from the look-out at the fore-top-gal- 
lant cross-trees of the Alabama. The ship was at once kept 
away towards her, and after a long chase, approached at near 
nightfall to within five or six miles of the strange sail. The vessel 
proved to be a brig, and on nearing her Spanish colours were 
shown by the Alabama. The brig made no response, and the 
cruiser proceeded to fire a blank cartridge, as an intimation of her 
character. Still the stranger kept doggedly upon her way, with- 
out response, and it became a question whether ulterior measures 
should be taken. After careful examination, however, of all those 
various indications b)^ which a sailor can judge of the nationality 
of a vessel, almost as effectively as from a sight of her colours, it 
was decided that she was, at all events, not an American ; and 
Captain Semmes, being* anxious to haul by the wind, and make bis 
way with all speed to the westward, the chase was abandoned, and 
the Alabama proceeded again upon her course. 

The next day, Saturday, August 30th, saw the preparations for 



110 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND "THE SUMTER. 

the battery complete, and the pivot guns finally mounted, and ready 
for action. The men were now allotted to the various stations, 
and mustered at quarters, when it was found, that by telling off 
half a dozen of the junior officers to complete the crew of the rifled 
gun, there were just hands enough to fight the ship. This was 
satisfactory ; and altogether the five hard days' work since quitting 
Terceira had resulted in something more like success in the way 
of order, comfort, and efficiency, than it had at first sight appeared 
possible to anticipate. 

Sunday, August 31st, was a welcome day of rest to all on board ; 
the only "break being a brief run off after a brig to leeward, which 
on being challenged with French colours, proved to be a Portu- 
guese. During the day the Alabama made good running to the 
westward, under topsails, with a fresh breeze well on her starboard 
quarter ; and at midnight made all snug, and brought by the wind 
on the port tack. The next day was passed for the most part in 
quietly lying to under topsails, with her head to the southward and 
eastward, whilst the crew were employed in finishing the fittings 
of the battery, and scraping the deck and bulwarks clear of some 
of the accumulated dirt, till 3 p.m., when she filled away again, 
and started upon a N.W. course. 

By Tuesday, Sept. 5th, the Alabama had run into the thirty- 
eighth parallel, and the temperature was sensibly altering. Up to 
this period no prize had been captured, the few vessels overhauled 
having all been under a neutral flag. On this day, however, 
whilst in chase of a brig, whose extraordinary swiftness enabled 
her fairly to show the Alabama a clean pair of heels, a vessel was 
descried in the offing, and the Confederate bore up and made to- 
wards her. On approaching she was found to be lying-to, with 
her foretopsail laid to the mast, and on a somewhat nearer inspec- 
tion, proved evidently to be a whaler. 

English colours were hoisted on board the Alabama, and a cheer 
was with difficulty suppressed as the Stars and Stripes rose in an- 
swer to the stranger's deck. Arrived within boarding distance, a 
boat was at once sent on board the prize, the Alabama's red ensign 
giving place to the Confederate flag as the boarding officer gained 
her deck. She proved to be the Ocmulgee, of Edgartown, her 
'captain, by name Abraham Osborn, being a thorough specimen of 
the genuine Yankee. She was, of course, taken possession of, her 
crew brought on board the Alabama and placed in irons, and a 
quantity of rigging, of which the latter was much in need, together 
with some beef, pork, and other small stores, transferred to the 
captor. A light was then hoisted at her peak ; her helm lashed 
hard a-Iee ; the prize crew re-transferred to their own ship, and 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. Ill 

the Ocmulgee left to her own devices, the Alabama lying by her 
during the night. 

The next morning another sail hove in sight, so the prize 
was fired, and the Alabama again started off in chase, having 
taken from the prize thirty-six prisoners besides the stores, rig- 
ging, <fec, before alluded to. The new chase proved to be a 
Frenchman, bound to Marseilles; and this fact having been as- 
certained, the Alabama was kept away N. -J- W., and in two 
hours afterwards was in sight of the island of Flores. 



CHAPTER XV. 

A muster — Prisoners landed — The Starlight — Santa Cruz — Novel night 
procession — The Alert — Three sacrifices in a day — Weather Gauge 
captured — The Altamaha — A signal — The Benjamin Tucker — Burnt! 
— The Courser — Target practice— TJie Virginia — The Elisha Dunbar. 

From the 7th to the 18th of September was a busy time on board 
the Alabama. Prize after prize was taken, and Captain Semmes' 
journal, as will be seen, is chiefly taken up with records of success- 
ful chases. 

Sunday, September 1th. — Running in for the island of Flores. 
At 11 a.m. mustered the crew for the first time, and caused to be 
read the Articles of War, to which they listened with great atten- 
tion. At 3.30 p.m., having approached sufficiently near the town 
of Lagens, on the south side of the island, we sent all the prison- 
ers on shore, having first paroled them in the three whale-boats 
belonging to the prize, Ocmulgee. At 4 p.m. filled away upon the 
starboard tack to head off a schooner that appeared to be running 
in for the island. Having approached her within a mile, we hoist- 
ed the English colours. The chase not showing her colours in 
return, fired the lee bow gun. Still paying no attention to us, but 
endeavouring to pass us, fired a shot athwart her bows. Not yet 
heaving-to, or showing colours, fired a second shot between her 
fore and mainmast ; she then hoisted the United States colours 
and rounded-to. Sent a boat on board and took possession. The 
captain coming on board with his papers, she proved to be the 
Starlight, of Boston, from Fayal to Boston vid Flores. She had 
a number of passengers ; among others, some ladies. Put a prize 
crew on board of her. Brought on board all the United States 



112 CKUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

seamen, seven in number, including the captain, and confined them 
in irons, and ordered the prize to remain close to us during the 
night. Some dark clouds hanging over tne island, but the wind 
light and the sea smooth. 

Among the papers captured were a couple of despatches to the 
Se wards, father and son, informing them of our operations at Ter- 
ceira. This small craft left Boston only six days before we left 
Liverpool in the Bahama. How strangely parties meet upon the 
high seas ! The master was the cleverest specimen of a Yankee 
skipper I have met, about twenty-seven or twenty-eight. He 
avowed his intention of trying to run the gauntlet of my shot, de- 
precated the war, &c, &c. 

Monday, September 8th. — * * * * Again stood in to the 
town of Santa Cruz, in company with the prize; lowered the cut- 
ter, and sent the prisoners on shore, with a note addressed to the 
Governor. In the meantime the Governor himself with several 
citizens came on board us. The Governor offered us the hospitali- 
ties of the island, and in return I expressed to him the hope that 
his fellow-citizens who were passengers, had suffered no inconve- 
nience from her capture. 

In the afternoon, gave chase and showed English colours to a 
Portuguese brigantine. We then wore ship, and chased a barque 
in the north-west, with which we came up about sunset. She 
proved to be the whaling barque Ocean Rover, from Massachusetts, 
forty months out, with a cargo of 1100 barrels of oil. Laid her 
to for the night, and permitted the captain and his crew to pull in 
to the shore (Flores) in his six whale boats. The sea being smooth, 
the wind light off shore, and the moon near her full, this was a 
novel night procession ! 

Tuesday, September 1th. — * * * * I was aroused in the 
mid-watch, having had about only three hours' sleep, after a day 
of fatigue and excitement, by the announcement that a large barque 
was close aboard of us. We were lying to at the time in company 
with our two prizes. Wore ship very quietly, and gave chase. 
The chase rather got the wind of us, though we head-reached 
upon her, and at daylight we hoisted the English flag. The barque 
not responding, fired a blank cartridge. She still not responding, 
fired a shot astern of her, she being about two miles distant. This 
brought her to with the United States colours at her peak ; put a 
boat on board, and took possession of her. She proved to be the 
Alert, from New London, sixteen days from port ; bound, via the 
Azores, Cape de Verde, &c, to the Indian Ocean. Supplied our- 
selves from her with some underclothing for the men, of which 
we stood in need. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 113 

About 9 a.m. fired the Starlight ; at 11 fired the Ocean Rover; 
and at 4 p.m. fired the Alert. Boarded a Portuguese whaling- 
brig, the master of which I brought on board with his papers. 
These proving to be regular, I dismissed him within a few mi- 
nutes. Sent the captain and crew of the Alert on shore, to the 
village on the north end of Flores, in their own boats, four in 
number. 

Sail, ho ! at 5 p.m. Filled away, and gave chase to a schooner in 
the N.E. She was standing for us at first, but tacked on our 
approach, and endeavoured to run. We had shown her the United 
States colors, and she also had hoisted them, but she distrusted 
us. A blank cartridge brought her round again, and hove her to. 
Sent a boat on board, and took possession of the schooner Weather 
Gauge, of Provincetown, six weeks out. The last two captures 
supplied us with large numbers of Northern newspapers as late as 
August 18th. * * * 

Saturday, September 13 tk. — Gave chase to a sail reported on 
the weather bow, and upon coming up with her, and heaving her 
to with a blank cartridge, she proved to be the hermaphrodite 
whaling brig Altamaha, from New Bedford, five months out. Little 
or no success. Captured her, put a prize crew on board, and made 
sail in chase of a barque to windward. 



Sunday t September 14th. — * * * Last night at a quarter 
past eleven I was aroused by the report that a large ship was close 
on board of ns. Hurried on deck, wore ship, and gave chase ; the 
strange sail being about two to two and a half miles from us, par- 
tially to windward. Made all sail, held our wind, and gradually 
eat him out of the wind, as well as head-reached on him. Fired 
a blank cartridge, which he disregarded. Continued to overhaul 
him, and when we had gotten on his weather-beam, distant about 
half a mile from him, fired a second gun, which speedily brought 
him to the wind with his maintopsail to the mast. Sent a boat 
on board, with an order to the officer to show me a light if she 
should prove to be an American ; and in a few minutes after the 
officer got on board a light was shown at the peak. Lay by him 
until daylight, when the captain was brought on board. The ship 
proved to be the United States whaler Benjamin Tucker, from 
New Bedford, eight months out, with about 340 barrels of oil. 
Crew thirty. Brought everybody on board, received some soap 
and tobacco, and fired the ship. Made sail to the S.E. 

Monday, September loth. — * * * Caulking the decks, 
which are already quite open. Made the island of Flores from the 



114 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

mast-head late in the afternoon. Exercised the crew at quarters. 
Shipped one of the prisoners from last prize — a Hollander. 

Tuesday, September IQth. — * * * * At daylight made a 
schooner on the starboard bow. Gave chase, and at 7.30 hove her 
to with a blank cartridge, and sent a boat on board, she showing 
United States colours. She proved to be the whaling schooner 
Courser, of Provincetown, Massachusetts. Took possession of her 
as a prize. Stooa in towards Flores, within four or five miles, and 
sent all the prisoners from the last three prizes on shore in their 
own whale boats, eight in number. Number of prisoners sixty- 
eight. About 5 p.m., having taken the prize some eight or ten 
miles distant from the land, hove her to, called all hands to quar- 
ters, and made a target of her, firing three rounds from each gun. 
The practice was pretty fair for green hands for the first time. 
We hulled the target once, and made a number of good line shots. 
At dark fired the prize, and made sail to the westward. 

Wednesday, September 11th.—* * * At 7.30 a.m. gave 
chase to a sail on the starboard bow, and at meridian came up 
with and took possession of, the United States whaling barque Vir- 
ginia, twenty-one days from New Bedford. Received papers as 
late as the 28th August. Got on board from the prize a large 
supply of soap, candles, &c ; and after bringing the prisoners on 
board, fired her ; filled away, and made sail to the N.W. 

Thursday, September 1 8th. — * * * Gave chase to a barque, 
which, discovering our purpose, made ^ill sail and tried to escape. 
Came up with her at 2 p.m., after a chase of about three hours. 
Hoisted the English ensign, to which she refused to respond. 
Fired the starboard bow gun, and ran up our own flag, when she 
shortened sail and hove-to. Sent a prize crew on board, she show- 
ing the United States ensign. Brought the master on board. 
She proved to be the whaling barque Elisha Dunbar, of New Bed- 
ford, twenty-four days out. As it was blowing fresh and threaten- 
ing a gale of wind, we got all the prisoners on board in the course 
of about a coirple of hours, and set fire to the barque. Reefed top- 
sails, set the fore trysail with the bonnet off, and stood on a wind 
on the starboard tack to the S. and E. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 115 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Successive*; ales — Uncomfortable quarters — Weather moderates— Blowing 
again — The Emily Farnum and the Brilliant — Neutral cargo — Ran- 
somed — Inflames — The Wave Crest — The Dunkirk — Religious smug- 
gling — A deserter caught— A court martial — The Tonaivanda — 
Precautions — lhe Manchester burnt — Hope — Parting company — The 
Lamplighter — A hurricane — Great danger — A cyclone — Safely passed. 

After this burst of good fortune in tbe way of prizes, during 
which the Alabama had destroyed upwards of 230,000 dollars' 
worth of United States property — or an amount very nearly equal 
to her own entire cost — in eleven days, a lull was experienced. A 
succession of gales from various points of the compass now pre- 
vailed with more or less violence for seven or eight days, during 
a great portion of which the Alabama was lying to, in a heavy 
sea under close-reefed maintopsail and reefed trysails. 

These were hard times for the prisoners ; huddled together on 
deck, with no shelter but an extemporized tarpaulin tent between 
them and the pelting of the pitiless storm, which drenched the 
decks alternately with salt water and fresh, as the heavy rain- 
sqoalls came down, or the sea, glittering with phosphoric light, 
came dashing over the weather bulwarks. There was, however, 
no alternative. The berth-deck was already fully occupied by the 
Alabama's own crew, and the unlucky prisoners were compelled 
to make the best of their uncomfortable position, and console 
themselves with the hope that some vessel with a neutral cargo 
might fall on the same ill-fortune with themselves, and afford them 
a chance of being paroled and sent ashore. 

As the sun crossed the line the weather moderated, and by the 
25th of September all was again calm and fair, and the crew busy 
caulking the decks, which had leaked terribly during the gales. 
They were followed by a succession of calms and light baffling 
winds, the delay occasioned by which was turned to advantage in 
practising the crew at the battery, and with small arms. 

With the commencement of another month the rough weather 
returned. The 2nd October was a real ugly-looking day, with 
dense black clouds and a Newfoundland north-easter blowing 
freshly. No observation w 7 as to be had, the thick clouds altogether 
shutting out the sun, and the ship being in the current of tbe 
Gulf Stream, the most she could do was to guess at her position 
within some thirty or forty miles. 



116 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

On the 3rd the weather moderated, and fortune again smiled 
upon the Alabama. The morning watch was not yet over when 
two sails were descried, the one ahead, the- other on the lee bow, 
each of which in itis turn was overhauled and captured ; the one 
proving to be the Emily Farnum, from New York for Liverpool ; 
the other, the Brilliant, from the same port for London, with a 
valuable cargo of grain and flour. 

The cargo of the Emily Farnum being neutral property, the 
vessel was released as a cartel, the prisoners from the Brilliant 
being transferred to her, as also those already on board from the 
other prizes, a change, as may well be imagined, sufficiently 
acceptable to those unfortunate beings who had now been ex- 
posed for nearly, three weeks to all the vicissitudes of an autumn 
in the North Atlantic. This done, the Emily Farnum was per- 
mitted to proceed upon her way. The Brilliant was then stripped 
of everything that could be of use to her captors, set on fire, and 
left to her fate.* From the papers taken on board of this vessel 
the crew of the Alabama learned the good news of the Confederate 
victories in Virginia, and also of the successful run of the screw- 
steamer Florida into a Confederate port. The two vessels also 
brought to the Alabama a prize, in the persons of four new 
recruits, which, in the short-handed condition of the ship, was of 
more real value to her than the vessels themselves. 

The barque Wave Crest, of and from New York, for Cardiff, 
with a cargo of grain, was the Alabama's next victim. She was 
chased and captured on the 7th of October, and having no evidence 
of the neutral ownership of her cargo, was condemned and set on 
fire, after serving for some time as a target, at which her captors 
might practise their firing. She was still blazing merrily, when 
another vessel was descried from the masthead, and at 9.30 p.m. of a 
beautiful moonlight night, a blank shot from the Alabama brought 
up the smart little brigantine Dunkirk, from New York, for Lisbon, 
also loaded with grain. A boat was sent on board of her, and her 
papers handed over to one of the Alabama's officers. No evidence 
of neutrality, how T ever, was to be found, and before midnight she 
too was a blazing wreck, and her captain and crew prisoners on 
board the Confederate steamer. 

The Dunkirk proved noteworthy in two ways. On searching 

* One of tbe Alabama's officers writes in his private journal : — 
"It seemed a fearful thing to burn such a cargo as the Brilliant had, when 
I thought how the Lancashire operatives would have danced for joy had they 
it shared amongst them. I never saw a vessel burn with such brilliancy, the 
flames completely enveloping the masts, hull, and rigging in a few minutes, 
making a sight as grand as it was appalling." 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 117 

through her papers, it appeared that besides her ostensible cargo she 
was also employed in what may be termed a kind of religious smug- 
gling. Some Portuguese copies of the New Testament were discover- 
ed, together with a number of tracts in the same language, tied up in 
large bundles, on the back of one of which was the endorsement : — 
" Portuguese Tracts ; from the ' American Tract Society,' for dis- 
tribution among Portuguese passengers, and to give upon the 
coast to visitors from the shore, &c. When in port, please keep 
conspicuously on the cabin table for all comers to read ; but be 
very careful not to take any ashore, as the laws do not allow it." 

It appeared, however, that the conscience of the society had 
pricked them for this concession to the majesty of the law, and a 
pen had been carefully run through the last sentence. A little 
lower down, upon the same packet, was written, " As may be con- 
venient, please report (by letter, if necessary) anything of interest 
which may occur in connexion with the distribution ; also take 
any orders for Bibles, and forward them to John S. Peerin, Marine 
Agent, New York Bible Society, No. 1 Beekman Street." 

The other noteworthy fact in connexion with the Dunkirk was 
the capture on board of her of one of the seven sailors who had 
deserted from the Sumter whilst lying at Cadiz ten months before. 
This man, whose name was George Forrest, was at once recog- 
nised, and on the day but one after his capture on board the 
enemy's vessel, a court-martial, consisting of the first lieutenant 
(president) ; senior second lieutenant ; master, chief engineer, and 
lieutenant of marines, with the captain's clerk as judge-advocate, 
was assembled in the ward-room to try the prisoner £>r the crime 
of desertion. The evidence was, of course, simple enough, and the 
man was found guilty, and sentenced to lose all pay, prize money, 
etc., already due to him, and to fulfil his original term of service, 
forfeiting all pay and allowances, except such as should be sufficient 
to provide necessary clothing and liberty money. 

That same afternoon another sail was descried and chased, and 
just before sunset the Alabama came up with and brought to, the 
fine packet ship Tonawanda, of Philadelphia, belonging to Cope's 
Liverpool line, and bound from Philadelphia to Liverpool with a 
full cargo of grain, and some seventy-five passengers. Here was a 
serious matter of embarrassment ; of the seventy-five passengers, 
some thirty or more were women, and what to do with such a 
prize it was hard to know. It was, of course, impossible to take 
the prisoners on board ; yet Captain Semmes was, not unnaturally, 
reluctant to release so fine a vessel if he could by any possibility so 
arrange matters as to be able to destroy her. It was therefore 
determined to place a prize crew on board, and keep the ship in 



118 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

company for a time, in hopes that ere long some other vessel of 
less value to the enemy, or guarded from destruction by a neutral 
cargo might, by good luck, be captured, and thus afford an oppor- 
tunity of sending the prisoners away upon cartel. 

Accordingly, a bond was taken of the captain for eighty thou- 
sand dollars, as a measure of precaution, in case it should be found 
necessary to let the ship go without further parley, and a prize 
master having been put on board the Tonawanda, was ordered to 
keep company, and her captor started off on a chase after a brig, 
which on being overhauled proved to be English. One transfer, 
however, was made from the prize, being nothing less than a well- 
grown and intelligent negro lad, named David White, the slave 
of one of the passengers, who was transferred to the Alabama 
as waiter to the wardroom mess, where he remained until 
the closing scene off Cherbourg, by no means disposed, so far 
as his own word may be taken for it, to regret the change of 
masters. 

The following day, as an additional security, the master of the 
Tonawanda was brought as a hostage on board the Confederate 
steamer, the prisoners from the last two ships burned being at the 
same time transferred to the prize. In this manner the two ves- 
sels cruised in company for two or three days — an anxious time 
enough for the crew and passengers of the unlucky Tonawanda, 
who spent most of their time in eagerly scanning the horizon, in 
the hope that some armed vessel of their own nation might appear 
in sight, and rescue them from their unpleasant predicament. No 
such luck, however, was to be theirs ; but on the 11th October, a 
fresh addition was made to their numbers in the crew of the Man- 
chester, a fine United States ship from New York to Liverpool, the 
glare of which as she, like so many others, was committed to the 
flames, by no means alleviated their anxiety, as they thought how 
soon a similar fate might befal their own vessel, should fortune not 
interpose to arrest the disaster. 

At length, on the 13th October, excitement prevailed on board 
of both vessels, and the hopes of the anxious passengers on board 
the Tonawanda rose to fever pitch, as a large vessel was seen bear- 
ing down under topsails only, her easy-going style of sailing seem- 
ing to prove conclusively to a sailor's eye, that she must be either 
a whaler or a man-of-war. On board the Alabama the former was 
the favorite supposition, and hopes ran high of another glorious 
bonfire fed by tons of brightly burning sperm oil. The aspirations 
of the Tonawanda were naturally in favor of the man-of-war, and 
it was with difficulty that considerations of prudence restrained the 
open exhibition of their delight as the stranger drew near, and the 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 119 

long pendant floating proudly from her masthead seemed to assure 
them that their hopes were to be fulfilled. 

But disappointment was equally in store for all. The big easy- 
going ship proved to be nothing more or less than an ordinary 
Spanish merchantman, who, with more regard for personal appear- 
ance than maritime etiquette, had quietly appropriated to herself 
the distinguishing ornament of a man-of-war. So the guns of the 
Alabama, which had been cast loose and loaded, were again 
"secured, and the crew dismissed from quarters; while the discon- 
solate Tonawandas, balked of their fondly anticipated rescue, shook 
their fists at the deceptive Spaniard, and went below to digest as 
best they might their grievous disappointment. 

At last, however, this time of suspense was over, and kind for- 
tune came to their assistance in the shape of a threatening gale 
of so ugly an appearance that the captain determined not to run 
the risk of parting company, and thus altogether losing his awk- 
ward, but not the less valuable prize. Accordingly, having 
accepted from the master a ransom bond for eighty thousand dol- 
laes, he dismissed him to his ship, and amid the wildest demon- 
strations of delight from the closely -packed prisoners on board, 
the Tonawanda filled away, and was seen no more. 

The wind now freshened to a tolerably fresh gale. Not suffi- 
cient, however, for the next two days to prevent the Alabama 
from chasing and capturing, on the loth October, the United 
States barque Lamplighter, of Boston, from New York to Gibral- 
tar, with a cargo of tobacco, which, however, as it proved, was 
never destined to soothe the ennui of the British soldier at that 
not very lively station. The sea was running high, and the boats 
had a rough time of it in boarding the barque, and returning with 
prisoners, &c. However, it was managed at last ; the unlucky 
vessel was fired, and after burning fiercely for some time, went 
headforemost to the bottom, leaving behind her a savoury cloud 
that almost tempted her destroyers to regret their work. 

And now it proved indeed fortunate for the prisoners who had 
so lately been discharged, that they were not doomed to weather 
out on the Alabama's deck the gale that came upon her. The 
17th of October saw the culminating of the bad weather that had 
prevailed during the last four or five days, and for some hours the 
Alabama was exposed to a perfect hurricane. The storm did not 
last long, but for about four hours it blew furiously. It was not 
yet at its height, and the ship was still carrying her close reefed 
maintopsail with reefed main trysail and fore topmast staysail, 
when a sharper lurch than usual threw a sudden strain upon the 
bumpkin to which the weather main brace was led, and in a mo 



120 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

raent it had snapped in two. The mainyard no longer supported 
by the brace, and pressed by the whole power of the straining 
topsail, flew forward and upward till it was bent nearly double, 
when with a loud crash it parted in the slings, splintering the top- 
sail into ribands with a noise like thunder. 

The ship was now in the greatest peril, for there was no longer 
sufficient after canvas to keep her head to the wind against the 
powerful pressure of the foretopmast staysail, and in another mo- 
ment she must have fallen into the trough of the sea, and proba- 
bly been at the least dismasted, if not altogether swamped. But 
the quick eye of the captain of the foretop saw the danger, and 
springing to the staysail halyards he cut the sail away, and the 
ship relieved of pressure forward, again came up to the wind. 

The main trysail was now lowered, though not without splitting 
the sail, and a small three-cornered storm trysail hoisted in its 
place. Even under this minimum of canvas the tremendous 
pressure of the gale upon her spars forced her down in the water 
several streaks, and the idlers and boys were lashed for safety 
under the weather bulwarks, life-lines being stretched before them 
to pervent them from falling to leeward. 

So far as it was possible under the circumstances to estimate 
the probable extent of this cyclone, its greatest diameter would 
appear to have been from about one hundred and sixty to two 
hundred miles, whilst the diameter of the vortex, through a con- 
siderable portion of which, if not actually through the centre, the 
Alabama appears to have passed, would probably be from about 
thirty to five-and-thirty or perhaps forty miles. 

The Alabama took the gale at S.W., the wind hauling after- 
wards to S., and the vessel passing completely through the vortex. 
During that time it lulled fur about half or three-quarters of an 
hour, then hauled in a few minutes to about N.N.W., which was 
the severest portion of the gale, commencing with the squall by 
which the mainyard was carried away. The barometer sank as 
low as 28*64. At 2 p.m. it had risen to 29*70, but fell again a 
little, and then rose gradually. The rise and fall of the barome- 
ter were both very rapid. 

During the violence of the gale, the birds flew very low, and 
with great rapidity, and some rain fell, though not a great deal. 
The surface of the sea was one sheet of foam and spray, the latter 
completely blinding all on deck. A curious result of the gale was 
a huge knot into which a strip of the maintopsail, the clew line, 
and chain sheet had twisted themselves in a hundred invo- 
lutions, defying any attempt at extrication except by aid of the 
knife. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 121 

During this tremendous storm the Alabama behaved splendidly, 
proving herself as fine a sea-boat as ever swam. 

By ttie evening the storm had lulled, but the sea was still run- 
ning fearfully high, and it was not until the next clay that it was 
possible to set about repairing the damage suffered in this by far 
the severest trial through which the Alabama had as yet passed. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Out of luck — Tempest-tossed — Rotatory storms — A prize — The case of 
the Lafayette — A long .chase — The Crenshaw — Neutral or not? — 
Rough again — The Lauretta — Condemned ! — The Baron de Custine 
— Released on bond. 

The Alabama was again out of luck. For the second time since 
her departure from Terceira, nearly a fortnight passed without 
bringing a single prize. It was, indeed, hardly to be expected that 
the splendid success which had attended the first three weeks of her 
cruise could be maintained. From the 1st to the 18th of Septem- 
ber, she had captured and destroyed no less than ten vessels, of an 
aggregate value of nearly two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 
Then had followed an interval of a fortnight, during which one 
vessel only was overhauled, and proving to be French, permitted 
to proceed. This dull period over, the 3rd October had seen 
the commencement of another run of good fortune, extending 
over nearly a fortnight, during which she succeeded in capturing 
five more vessels, all of considerable size, and for the most part 
with valuable cargoes. In this fortnight alone damage was in- 
flicted upon United States property to the amount of more than 
half-a-million of dollars; and it was but natural that, after so 
splendid a gift, fortune should for a time hold her hand. 

Accordingly, for the next ten or twelve days the Alabama lay 
helplessly on the ocean, tossed and beaten about by a succession 
of gales from every point of the compass, culminating, as we 
have seen, in the hurricane of the 16th October. The season 
was, indeed, most unusually severe, this month of October being 
commonly one of calm and fine weather. A gale at this time is a 
most unusual occurrence ; but for more than a week a succes- 
sion of storms was experienced of the most violent description, 
while for fully three weeks the weather continued dark, rough, 
and gloomy, with strong shifting winds and heavy rain, the thick 
clouds rarely separating sufficiently to afford the chance of an ob- 
servation. 

6 



122 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

- 

Occasionally a break in the murky canopy would give promise 
of a change for the better; but a very few hours served to dissi- 
pate the rising hope. The sky would be again overcast, the wind 
breeze up from a fresh quarter, and another night of discomfort 
set in. In addition to this adverse weather, a still further diffi- 
culty was experienced in the strong current that appeared to set 
continuously from the westward, drifting the vessel bodily out of 
her course at the rate of sixty or seventy miles a day. During 
this period, the barometer ranged from 28*64 to 29*70. It was 
remarkable that the winds appeared to succeed each other with 
perfect regularity, rotating, as nearly as possible, once in every 
two days, or at the utmost, in two days and a half. The course 
taken by these rotatory storms was always the same, and it was a 
rare occurrence for the wind to remain stationary in one quarter 
during eight or ten successive hours. 

On the 23rd October the gale at last finally broke, and with the 
return of better weather the Alabama's luck seemed also about to 
revive. At noon a brief break in the clouds just gave time for 
an observation for latitude, and this was barely worked out, when 
"Sail, ho!" was heard from the masthead; and a fine brig was 
discovered hull down on the lee bow. Running down to her 
under close-reefed topsails, she proved to be English ; but though 
not destined herself to become a prize, the deviation in the Ala- 
bama's course, occasioned by the chase, proved most fortunate for 
her. She had scarcely luffed up again, after ascertaining the 
brig's nationality, when again the welcome cry was heard, and the 
helm shifted in pursuit. Soon the new chase became clearly dis- 
cernible from the quarter-deck, when she proved to be a large ship 
running to the northward and eastward under a press of canvas. 
So determinedly was she " cracking on " as to have everything set, 
even to her main-royal, notwithstanding that the wind was still 
blowing very nearly half a gale. 

The course of the stranger being diagonal to that of the Ala- 
bama, the speed at which she was travelling soon brought her 
within speaking distance, and, as usual, a feint was made for the 
purpose of extorting a confession of her nationality. The flag 
chosen this time was the English blue ensign, and it was speedily 
answered by the Stars and Stripes, which fluttered gaily from the 
merchantman's peak as she dashed along under her towering mass 
of canvas before the breeze, right across the Alabama's path. 

Another moment and the scene was changed. The Yankee en- 
sign had hardly reached her peak, when down came the beguiling 
signal from the Alabama's flagstaff, and the white folds of the 
Confederate ensign unfurled themselves in its stead. A flash, a 



CRIJISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 123 

spurt of white smote, curling for a moment from the cruiser's lee- 
bow, arid vanishing in snowy wreaths upon the wind, and the loud 
report of a gun from the Alabama, summoned the luckless Yan- 
kee to heave to. In a moment all was in confusion on board the 
merchantman. Sheets and halyards were let go by the run, and 
the huge cloud of canvas seemed to shrink and shrivel up as the 
vessel was rounded to with folded wings like a crippled bird, and 
with her foretopsail to the mast, lay submissively awaiting the 
commands of her captors. 

She proved to be the ship Lafayette, of Boston, bound to Bel- 
fast, with a full cargo of grain, <fcc. Of her own nationality there 
was, of course, no doubt; but a question now arose about the 
ownership of the cargo, and some hours of patient investigation 
were necessary before Captain Semmes could determine upon the 
course to pursue. Finally it was determined that the claim of 
neutral ownership was a mere blind to insure against capture; 
and at 10 p.m., the ship having been formally condemned, the 
crew were transferred to the Alabama, and the prize fired and left 
to her fate. 

The following is Captain Semmes' memorandum of the 

CASE OF THE LAFAYETTE. 

Ship and cargo condemned. The cargo of this ship was con- 
demned by me as enemy's property, notwithstanding there were 
depositions of the shippers that it had been purchased by them on 
neutral account. These ex-parte statements are precisely such as 
every unscrupulous merchant would prepare, to deceive his enemy 
and save his property from capture. There are two shipping 
houses in this case ; that of Craig and Nicoll, and that of Mont- 
gomery Bros. : Messrs. Craig and Nicoll say that the giain sup- 
plied by them belongs to Messrs. Shaw and Finlay, and to Messrs. 
Hamilton, Megault, and Thompson, all of Belfast, to which port 
the ship is bound, but the grain is not consigned to them, and they 
could not demand possession of it under the bill of lading, it being 
consigned to order, thus leaving the control in the hands of the 
shippers. The shippers, farther, instead of sending their grain as 
freight in a general ship, consigned to the owners, they paying the 
freight, charter the whole ship, and stipulate themselves for the 
payment of the freight. If this property had been bond fide the 
property of the parties in Belfast named in the depositions, it 
would undoubtedly have been consigned to them, under a bill of 
lading authorizing them to demand possession of it, &c, &c. ; the 
agreement with the ship would have been that the consignees and 
owners should pay the freight upon delivery. Even if this pro- 



124 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA ACJD THE SUMTER. 

perty were purchased, as pretended, by Messrs. Craig and Nicoll, 
for the parties named, still their not consigning it to them and de- 
livering to them the proper bill of lading passing the possession, 
left the property under the dominion of Craig and Nicoll, and as 
such, liable to capture. The property attempted to be covered by 
the Messrs. Montgomery, is shipped by Montgomery Bros, of 
New York, and consigned to Montgomery Bros., in Belfast ; and 
the title to the property, so far as appears in the bill of lading, is 
in the latter house, or in the branch house in New York. Fur- 
ther, the mere formal papers of a ship and cargo prove nothing, 
unless properly verified, and in this case the master of the ship, 
although a part owner of the ship, whose duty it was upon taking 
in a cargo in time of war, to be informed of all the circumstances 
attending it, and connected with the ownership, knew nothing, 
except what he learned from the face of the papers. These cer- 
tificates, therefore, were pronounced a fraud, and the cargo as well 
as the ship, condemned. 3d Phillimore 610-12 to the effect, 
that if the goods are going for account of the shipper, or subject 
to his order or control (as in this case), the property is not divested 
in transitu. The goods shipped by Craig and Nicoll, were con- 
signed to their order, as has been seen. 

As to the Montgomery's, see 3rd Phillimore 605, to the effect 
that if a person be a partner in a house of trade in an enemy's 
country, he is, as to the concerns and trade of that house, deemed 
an enemy, and his share is liable to confiscation as such, notwith- 
standing his own residence is in a neutral country. Further, the 
property consigned to Montgomery Bros., even admitting the Bel- 
fast house not to be a partner in the New York house, is liable to 
the same objection, as in the case of Craig and Nicoll ; since, al- 
though the property is described as belonging to a party in Sligo, 
there is no bill of lading among the papers authorizing that party 
to demand the possession. The property is not divested, therefore, 
in transitu. 

3rd Phillimore, 599, to the effect, that " further proof" is al- 
ways necessary when the master cannot swear to the ownership of 
the property (as in this case). And as I cannot send my prizes in 
for adjudication, I must of necessity condemn in all cases where 
" further proof" is necessary, since the granting of "further proof" 
proceeds on the presumption that the neutrality of the cargo is 
not sufficiently established ; and where the neutrality of the pro- 
perty does not fully appear from the ship's papers and the master's 
deposition, I had the right to act upon the presumption of ene- 
my's property. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 125 

By midnight the Lafayette showed only a dim glare on the dis- 
tant horizon, but the event formed a topic of discussion for the 
next two days, more especially as from the newspapers found on 
board it was ascertained that news of the captures on the banks 
of Newfoundland had already made its way to the United States, 
and that the Yankee cruisers were, therefore, probably by that 
time in full pursuit. 

The 26th October, however, provided the crew of the Alabama 
with a fresh excitement. The weather had cleared beautifully, the 
wind was light from the eastward, and the vessel was gliding 
smoothly and swiftly, with studdingsails set alow and aloft, over 
the long, easy swell, which alone remained to tell of the heavy 
gales of the past fortnight. Every one was enjoying the change, 
and even the strict discipline of the man-of-war was, for the mo- 
ment, in some measure relaxed, as officers and men gave themselves 
up to the full pleasure of a period of sunshine and tranquillity, 
after the long spell of gloom and storm. The lookout-man alone, 
high up on the fore topgallant crosstrees, still swept the horizon as 
eagerly as ever in search of a prize. At about noon his vigilance 
was rewarded by the sight of a sail on the port-quarter, and in a 
moment all was again bustle and excitement on board. Quick as 
the word could be given, the "flying kites" were furled, yards 
braced in, and the ship hauled up on a taut bowline in chase. 

But the stranger was now well to windward, and fully four or five 
miles distant. The Alabama flew through the water with the 
freshening breeze, flinging the spray over her sharp bows, and 
stretching to her task as though she herself were conscious of the 
work before her, and eager in chase. But the strange sail was al- 
most, if not quite, as fast as herself, and her position so far to 
windward gave her an immense advantage. The day, too, was 
wearing on, and the sky beginning to cloud over, giving every to- 
ken of a dark if not a stormy night. If the chase could only hold 
on her course till dusk she was safe, and already the hopes of 
another prize were beginning to fade, and the anxious speculators 
on the forecastle were expecting the order to up helm and relinquish 
the chase. 

On the quarter-deck, too, the idea was gaining ground that the 
affair was hopeless, and that it was not worth while to keep the 
ship longer from her course. But the Alabama was not given to 
letting a chance slip, and before finally abandoning the pursuit it 
was determined to try the effect of a shot or two upon the nerves 
of the stranger. A slight cheer, quickly checked by the voice of 
authority, rose from the eager crowd on the forecastle, as the wea- 
ther bow gun was cast loose and loaded, and in another minute the 



126 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

■ 

bright flash, with its accompanying jet of white smoke, leaped 
from the cruiser's bow, as the loud report of a 32-pounder rang 
out the command to heave to. 

A moment of breathless suspense, and another cheer rose from 
the delighted throng of sailors, as the stranger's sails were seen 
for a moment to shiver in the wind, and the frightened chase luffed 
to the wind, and then lay motionless with the Stars and Stripes at 
her mizenpeak. Another sharp hour's beating and the Alabama 
was alongside, and had taken possession of the United States 
schooner Crenshaw, from New York to Glasgow, three days out. 

And now began another investigation into the character of the 
cargo, and notes were once more carefully compared, lest any bond 
fide neutral property should become involved in the fate that 
would otherwise befall the captured enemy. Finally, however, 
the case was decided against ship and cargo, and both were 
accordingly committed to the flames, the following entry being 
made by Captain Semmes of the grounds of his decision : — 

CASE OF THE SCHOONER CRENSHAW. 

This vessel was captured under the North American flag, and 
had on board a North American register — there is, therefore, no 
question as to the ship. There has been an attempt to cover the 
cargo, but without success. The shippers are Francis Macdonald 
and Co., of the city of New York ; and Mr. James Hutchison, 
also of New York, deposed before the British consul, that " the 
goods specified in the annexed bills of lading were shipped on 
board the schooner Crenshaw, for, and on account of, subjects of 
Her Britannic Majesty, and that the said goods are wholly and 
bona fide the property of British subjects." No British subject 
is named in the deposition, and no person is therefore entitled to 
claim under it. Further : even admitting the goods to have been 
purchased on British account, the shipper has not divested him- 
self of the possession by a proper consignment, under a proper 
bill of lading. The property is consigned to the order of the 
shipper, which leaves it entirely under his control ; and it having 
left the port of New York as his property, the title cannot be 
changed while the property is in transitu. 

As to the first point— to wit, the failure to point out some par- 
ticular British owner of the property — see 3d Phillimore 596, to 
the following effect : — " If in the ship's papers, property, in a 
voyage from an enemy's port, be described ' for neutral account,' 
this is such a general mode as points to no designation whatever ; 
and under such a description no person can say that the cargo 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 127 

belongs to him, or can entitle himself to the possession of it as 
his property," &c. 

And as to the second point — to wit, the failure on the part of 
the shipper to divest himself of the title and control of the pro- 
perty by a proper bill of lading — see 3rd Phillimore 610-12, as 
follows, viz.: "In ordinary shipments of goods, unaffected by the 
foregoing principles, the question of proprietary interest often 
turns on minute circumstances and distinctions, the general prin- 
ciple being, that if they are going for account of the shipper, or 
subject to his order or control, the property is not divested in 
transitu" &c. 



Monday, October 2*Ith. — Another gale of wind! In the mid- 
watch last night the barometer commenced falling, and by 3 this 
afternoon it had gone down to 29*33, where it remained stationary 
for a time, and then began to rise slowly, being at 29*45 at 8 p.m. 
The wind began to blow freshly from the south, and hauled gra- 
dually to the westward, the barometer commencing to rise when 
the wind was about W.S.W. In the early part of the gale we 
had the weather very thick, with heavy squalls of rain, clearing 
about nightfall, with the wind from the W.S.W. 

In the midst of a heavy squall of wind and rain, and with a 
heavy sea on, we discovered a brig close aboard of us, on our 
weather quarter; but as we were on opposite tacks we soon in- 
creased our distance from each other. Wore ship, and hove to, 
under close-reefed "topsails on the starboard tack. Being about a 
degree to the southward of St. George's Bank, got a cast of the 
lead at 1 p.m., with no bottom at eighty-five fathoms. Lat. 39.47 
N., Long. 68.06 W., a little over two hundred miles from New York. 

Tuesday, October 28th. — Weather cloudy ; wind light from the 
north, hauling to the eastward. The heavy sea, from the effects 
of the gale yesterday, continued all day rolling and tumbling us 
about, and keeping the deck flooded with water. In the morning 
watch descried a brig running off to the southward. She being 
some distance off, and running in the wrong direction, we did not 
chase. Soon afterwards another sail was reported to the west- 
ward, standing in our direction ; shaped a course to head her off, 
and at 11 a.m., having approached her within half a mile, hoisted 
the English blue. The stranger showing United States colours, 
we hoisted our own, and hove him to with a gun. Brought the 
master on board with his papers, and finding the cargo condemn- 
able, got the crew on board, fired the ship, and filled away. 

The prize proved to be the barque Lauretta, of Boston, from 



128 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

New York, for Madeira and the Mediterranean. Received papers 
as late as the 24th. The intelligence of our captures (as late as 
the Brilliant) seems to have created great alarm for the safety of 
commerce in New York. 

CASE OF THE LAURETTA. 

This ship being under American colours, with an American 
(U.S.) register, no question arises as to the ship. There are two 
shippers of the cargo, Messrs. Chamberlain, Phelps, and Co., and 
Mr. H. J. Burden, both houses of New York city. Chamberlain, 
Phelps, and Co. ship 1424 barrels of flour, and a lot of pipe 
staves, to be delivered at Gibraltar or Messina, to their own order; 
and 225 kegs of nails to be delivered at Messina, to Mariano Cas- 
tarelli. The bill of lading for the flour and staves has the fol- 
lowing indorsement, sworn to before a notary : " State, city and 
county of New York : Louis Contencin being duly sworn, says, 
that he is a clerk with Chamberlain, Phelps, and Co., and that 
part of the maize in the within bill of lading, is the property of 
subjects of the King of Italy." This certificate is of no force or 
effect for its generality ; it points to no one as the owner of the 
merchandise, and no person could claim it under the certificate. 
See 3rd Phillimore, 596. Farther: the property is consigned to 
the order of the shipper. The title, therefore, remains in him, 
and cannot be divested in transitu. See 3rd Phillimore, 610-12. 
The contingent destination of this property, too, shows that it was 
property for a market. It was to be delivered either at Gibraltar 
or Messina, as the shipper might determine — probably on advices 
by steamer, before the ship should reach her destination. She 
was to stop, as we have seen, at Madeira, which would give ample 
time for the decision. 

The bill of lading for the 225 kegs of nails has a similar in- 
dorsement, except that it is asserted that the whole of the property 
belongs to subjects of the King of Italy. It is not sworn that the 
property belongs to Castarelli, the consignee, and for aught that 
appears, Castarelli is the agent of the shipper to receive this con- 
signment on his, the shipper's account. The presumption being, that 
notwithstanding a consignment in due form by an enemy shipper to 
a neutral, the property is enemy's property, until the contrary be 
shown. The consignment alone does not show the property to be 
vested in Castarelli, and the certificate does not indicate him as 
the owner. Although Castarelli could demand possession of the 
goods, under this consignment, he could not claim to hold them as 
hi3 property under the certificate. There is, therefore, no evidence 
to show that he is not the mere agent of the shipper. What ren- 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 129 

ders this consideration still more clear is, that if the goods had 
really belonged to Castarelli, it would have been so stated in the 
certificate. Why say that the goods belonged to " subjects of the 
King of Italy," when the consignee was the real owner ? 

The property shipped by H. Jas. Burden consists of 998 barrels 
of flour and 290 boxes of herrings, and is consigned to Charles B 
Blandly, Esq., at Funchal, Madeira. The shipper, H. J. Burden' 
makes the following affidavit before the British consul in New 
York, to wit : " That all and singular the goods specified in the 
annexed bill of lading, were shipped by H. J. Burden, in the 
barque Lauretta, for and on account of H. J. Burden, subject of 
Her Britannic Majesty." Now, Burden may be a very good sub- 
ject of Her Britannic Majesty, but he describes himself as of 42 
Beaver Street, New York, and seems to lose sight of the fact, that 
his domicile, for the purposes of trade, in the enemy's country, 
makes him an enemy, quoad all his transactions in that country! 
Further: if the H. J. Burden, the shipper, is not one and 
the same person with the H. J. Burden for whom the property is 
claimed, then there is nothing in the papers to show that property 
is vested in the latter, since it is not consigned to him, nor is it 
shown that the consignee, Charles B. Blandly, Esq., is his agent. 
The presumption, in the absence of proof; is, that the consignee is 
the agent of the shipper. 

Wednesday, October 29tk.— * * * * At 10 a.m. hove 
to; let down the propeller, and put the ship under steam. Chased 
and overhauled a Dutch barque, and towards nightfall came up 
with the. United States brigantine, Baron de Custine, from Ban- 
gor, with lumber for Cardenas. The vessel being old, and of little 
value, I released her on ransom bond, and converted her into a 
cartel, sending some forty-five prisoners on board of her, the crews 
of the last three ships burned. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Disappointment— Out of the track— The Levi Starbuch— Fresh vegetables 
— News— The other side of the case— Kindness repaid— The T. B. Wales 
— A family — Volunteers — In man-of-war trim. 

The month of October went out as it came in with severe and 
blustering weather. The Alabama was still upwards of two hun- 
dred miles from New York, and it seemed as thongh a change 



130 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

would become necessary in her plans. Ever since starting upon 
his adventurous cruise, it had been a favorite scheme with Captain 
Semmes to make his appearance off this the very chief of the 
enemy's ports, and, if not strong enough actually to threaten the 
place itself, at all events to make a few captures within sight of 
the capital city of the North. It had been, therefore, a special 
disappointment to find himself baffled by a continued succession 
of hostile winds and contrary currents ; and even the brilliant suc- 
cess that had thus far attended him in the capture of twenty-one 
vessels and the destruction of property to very nearly a million of 
dollars, seemed hardly to compensate for the failure of his pet 
project. 

It was fast becoming evident, however, that the scheme for 
putting in an appearance off New York must be abandoned, at all 
events for the present ; and on the 30th October the chief engineer 
was consulted as to the amount of coal remaining in the bunkers. 
The report was unfavorable. Four days' fuel only was left; and 
it was clear that even had the vessel been nearer than she was to 
her intended cruising ground, this would have been rather a short 
supply with which to venture on so dangerous an experiment. 
Reluctantly, therefore, the scheme was relinquished, the fires let 
down, propeller hoisted up again, and sail made to the southward 
and eastward en route for the coal depot. 

The ship was now out of the track of commerce, and for some 
time scarcely a vessel was seen. The 2d November, however, 
brought a prize in the shape of the ship Levi Starbuck, five days 
out from New Bedford, on a whaling voyage of thirty months to 
the Pacific Ocean. Like all whalers, she carried a stronger crew 
than is common with other vessels of similar tonnage, and twenty- 
nine prisoners were transferred from her to the Alabama. Being 
bound, too, on so long a cruise, she was well furnished with all 
necessaries, and the captor was enabled to supply himself from her 
with various articles of which, by this time, and after the rough 
weather he had experienced, he had begun to stand somewhat 
sorely in need. 

Not the least highly-prized among the spoils of the Levi Star- 
buck was a noble collection of cabbages and turnips, fresh from 
their native soil ! These were, indeed, invaluable. The Alabama 
had now been upwards of seventy days at sea, and during nearly 
the whole of that period her crew had subsisted entirely on salted 
provisions. Happily, as yet, no ill effects had appeared ; but the 
fresh vegetables came most opportunely to ward off any danger of 
that scourge of the sailor's existence, scurvy, to which a longer 
confinement to salt diet must inevitably have exposed them. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 131 J 

Indeed, but for the consciousness of how vitally necessary a 
change of diet is to the health of a ship's crew, there would have 
been something almost ludicrous in the delight with which the 
men, who for the last six months had been almost daily destroy- 
ing thousands of pounds' worth of the most valuable property of 
every description, now hailed the acquisition of a sack or two of 
turnips and a few strings of humble cabbages. But abstinence is 
a wonderful quickener of apprehension ; and for teaching the true 
value of the good things of this life, there are few recipes more 
effectual than a voyage in the forecastle of a cruising man-of-war. 

Besides the cabbages and turnips, which were so welcome for- 
ward, the Levi Starbuck contributed not a little to the comfort of 
the after-part of the vessel by her contribution of newspapers, 
which passed eagerly from hand to hand, through ward-room and 
steerage, affording a pleasant change from the worn-out topics of 
discussion that had now grown threadbare through the wear-and- 
tear of many a dull day and stormy night. The Starbuck's papers 
brought news from Yankeeland as late as the 28th of October, 
and not the least important item was that which told of the ex- 
citement occasioned among the enemy by the little craft whose 
officers were now jesting merrily over the consternation she had 
raised, and the measures that were being taken for her destruction. 

It was certainly not a little amusing to read in the angry 
columns of Yankee newspapers, the magnificently-exaggerated ac- 
counts of the depredations of the dreaded Confederate "pirate." 
It was difficult sometimes to recognise the events referred to 
under the gorgeous embellishments with which they were invested. 
Occasionally, too, an exclamation of disgust would be heard from 
some officer, more excited or less philosophic than his comrades, as 
with his head half-buried in some broad, ill-printed, vilely-smelling 
sheet, he would declaim from its columns, for the edification of 
the mess, paragraph after paragraph of abuse of the vessel and her 
officers, and withering denunciations of the barbarity with which 
their unfortunate prisoners were treated while on board. Among 
those who thus revealed their true nature by abusing and vilifying 
the men, who, though enemies, had endeavoured while they had 
them in their power to alleviate in every possible way the inevi- 
table hardships of captivity, the master of the ship Brilliant 
obtained for himself an unenviable pre-eminence, by the grossness 
of the falsehoods with which he retaliated upon his captors for 
their mistaken kindness ; and many a vow was registered in the 
ward-room and gun-room of the Alabama, that should this gentle- 
man ever again fall into their hands, they would be wiser than to 
waste courtesy on one who could so little appreciate it. 



132 CKUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

The Levi Starbuck having been disposed of in the usual man 
ner, sail was again made upon the Alabama, and on the 5th No- 
vember, Bermuda, " the still vexed," was passed, though at too 
great a distance to sight the land. 

Saturday, November 8th. — * * * In the mid-watch a sail 
was reported — a schooner, standing south. Wore ship (1.30 
a.m.) and gave chase. Soon after daylight, the chase being 
some five miles dead to windward of us, a ship was discerned 
standing to the northward and westward. Discontinued the 
chase of the schooner, and gave chase to the ship. At 10 a.m., 
the latter having approached to within a mile of us (we having 
United States colours flying), hove her to with a gun, and a change 
of flags. Sent a boat, and brought the master on board. She 
proved to be the ship T. B. Wales, of Boston, from Calcutta for 
Boston. There being no claim of neutral property among the 
papers, and the master having no knowledge on the subject, ex- 
cept that the linseed belonged to the owner of the ship, con- 
demned both ship and cargo, A large portion of this cargo was 
consigned to Baring Brothers, Boston, including 1704 bags of 
saltpetre — contraband of war — which would have condemned all 
the property of the Barings, even if proof of ownership had been 
found on board, which was not the case. 

We are to be embarrassed with two females and some children, 
the master having his wife with him, and there being also a pas- 
senger and his wife. I shall bestow them upon the ward-room, 
having a couple of state rooms vacated for them. Poor women ! 
They are suffering for the sins of their wicked countrymen who 
are waging this murderous war upon us. 

******* 

About nightfall another sail was descried from aloft, and a light 
was seen after dark ; but we did not get hold of the sail. Just 
at dark, having taken all the prisoners on board from the prize, 
and got her mainyard on board to replace ours, carried away in 
the storm of the 16th ultimo, we set fire to her, and filled away 
on our course. Nine of the crew of this ship volunteered, and 
were shipped as part of our own crew — an acquisition more 
valuable than the prize herself. 

Sunday, November 9th. — * * * * jyjy m ^ na g e nas De _ 
come quite home-like with the presence of women and the merry 
voices of children. We have had a quiet Sabbath-day, there be- 
ing nothing in sight. 

For some time from this date quiet days preponderated. The 



CKUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 133 

Alabama was now in the region of the trade winds, but it was 
some time before they were fairly taken. From the 9th Novem- 
ber, in Lat. 21.52 N., Long. 58.24 W., to the 15th November, in 
Lat. 21 N., Long. 5*7.49 W., the wind continued light and varia- 
ble, sometimes even for a few hours blowing directly from the 
southward. On the 15th November the N. E. trade appeared 
to have fairly set in, and from this time fine weather and fa- 
vouring breezes became the order of the day. 

Sunday, November \§ih. — Beautiful clear weather, with a mo- 
derate trade from about east by south. Woollen clothes be- 
coming uncomfortable. At 11 a.m. mustered the crew, and in- 
spected the ship. A quiet Sabbath-day, with nothing in sight. 
Our ship begins to look quite like a ship of war — with her battery 
in fine order, her decks clean, freshly-painted outside, masts 
scraped, &c, &c, and the crew well disciplined. Thus far I 
have never seen a better disposed or more orderly crew. They 
have come very kindly into the traces. 

Monday, November 11th. — * * * Running before the wind, 
with studding-sails set on both sides. At 2 p.m. made the island 
of Dominica, half a point on the starboard bow. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Martinique — News from home — Friendly greetings — Mutiny / — Order 
restored — The San Jacinto — Neutrality of the port invaded — Prompt 
measures — Expectation — Ready for action — Success — Locking an 
empty stable —Temptation — The Clara L. Sparks — Refitting —A court- 
martial — Dismissed. 

The 18th November saw Captain Semmes again off Martinique, 
which he had visited in the Sumter just twelve months before. 
Making the north end of the island at about 4 a.m., the propeller 
was lowered and steam got up, the day breaking just as the Ala- 
bama's screw began to revolve. At 10 a.m., having run past St. 
Pierre, she anchored in the harbour of Fort de France. 

Here she found her faithful consort, the Agrippina, from whom 
she had parted at Terceira on the 24th of August. On her de- 
parture from that port, she had returned with all speed to Car- 
diff, from which she had again sailed for the rendezvous at Mar- 
tinique, and was now ready with a fresh supply of coal for the 
Alabama, and had been waiting her arrival just eight days. In 
addition to the much needed supply of coal, the Agrippina 



134 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

brought a small mail for the Alabama's officers, who thus re- 
ceived news from friends at home for the first time for more 
than three months. 

No sooner was the anchor down than a lieutenant was sent 
ashore to pay the usual visit of ceremony to the Governor, carry- 
ing with him a note, informing his Excellency of the arrival of 
the Confederate steamer Alabama in French waters. A few 
hours brought a courteous reply, extending to the Alabama the 
hospitality of the port ; and the health officers having visited the 
ship, arrangements were made for laying in a stock of provisions, 
and such other articles as were required after the cruise. Nor 
were the amenities of the Alabama's reception confined to the 
authorities alone. An enthusiastic greeting awaited her from 
almost every one ; the clubs were placed at their disposal, and in- 
vitations d discretion poured in from every side. 

It would, perhaps, have been better for the discipline of the 
Alabama had the welcome extended to her crew been somewhat 
less cordial. Weary of their long confinement, and bent, as the 
sailor always seems to be on first putting into port, on a "good 
spree," a considerable number of her men fairly succumbed to the 
hospitality of the worthy islanders, a result that was not a little 
aggravated by the exertions of the deserter, Forrest. This man 
appears to have entertained a deliberate purpose of exciting a 
mutiny on board of the vessel, and with this object in view, 
managed to slip overboard unobserved, swam to a boat, and re- 
turned on board with a quantity of spirits, which he distributed 
through the forecastle. The result was a disturbance, which at 
one time wore a serious aspect, and which, but for the energy and 
promptitude of the means taken to subdue it, might have had 
very awkward results. 

The Captain of the Alabama, however, was not a man to be in- 
timidated or taken off his guard. No sooner was the disturbance 
reported than the drums beat to quarters, and the sober portion of 
the crew were at once directed to seize the rioters. Placed in 
double irons, and effectually drenched with buckets of cold water 
by their laughing comrades, the unlucky mutineers soon came to 
their senses, and order was restored. The ringleader, Forrest, was 
then triced up in the mizen-rigging, " two hours on and two off," 
to await tjie punishment of his crimes. 

The next day brought a fresh vision of the Stars and Stripes, 
but this time from the mizen-peak of a heavily-armed steamer, 
which appeared early in the morning, standing in towards the 
harbour. The Alabama was at once cleared for action, and, as 
a precautionary measure, her funds were despatched on shore for 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 135 

deposit in the event of the engagement which appeared likely to 
ensue. This, however, was not to be. The merchants, thinking 
evidently that Captain Semmes was in their power, and must pay 
their price for taking charge of his treasure, refused to have any- 
thing to do with it at a lower rate than five per cent. To this the 
officer in charge would not agree, ahd the money was again car- 
ried on board. Fortunately, as it turned out, for when the true 
character of the stranger came to be ascertained, he proved to be 
the United States steamer San Jacinto, of fourteen guns — viz., 
twelve 68-pounders, and two eleven-inch shell-guns, and therefore 
much too heavy for the Alabama to venture on an attack. This 
point was but just settled when the merchants appeared alongside 
with an abatement in their charges for taking care of the Confe- 
derate treasure ; but the chance was gone, and they were com- 
pelled to return as empty-handed as they had come. 

Meanwhile, the authorities ashore had been bestirring them- 
selves to prevent any violation of the neutrality of their port. A 
boat was despatched to the San Jacinto with orders either to come 
to an anchor, in which case she must remain in the harbour full 
twenty-four hours after the departure of the Alabama, or else to pro- 
ceed again to sea, and cruise beyond the limits of the maritime 
league from the harbour. The latter alternative being preferred 
by the United States Captain, the San Jacinto put her helm aport, 
and came slowly round, returning to the prescribed distance from 
the shore, where she proceeded to steam slowly backwards and for- 
wards, in the hope of intercepting her little enemy, should the 
latter venture to leave her anchorage. 

Pending this submission on the part of the United States cruiser 
to the orders of the Governor, the French gunboat Fata received 
instructions to get up steam, and shifting her berth, took up her 
position close alongside of the Alabama, fully prepared to offer her 
own contribution to any controversy that might arise between the 
two rival vessels. Her Captain and officers were very friendly, 
offering every assistance, and pointing out on the chart the best 
means of eluding the enemy, the superiority of whose size and 
weight put an end to all idea of a deliberate attack, though there 
were still some among the crew of the Alabama who could not 
relinquish the hope that in making their way out of the harbour 
an engagement might be forced upon them. 

All the vigilance of the authorities, however, though extending 
to the prohibition of any intercourse whatever between the San 
Jacinto and the shore, was unable to prevent the Yankee from 
establishing a code of signals by which he might at once be put 
in possession of any movement on the part of the Confederate 



136 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

steamer, which he now, no doubt, fully looked on as his prize. 
Two of his boats were, as was afterwards discovered, on the look- 
out during the night, and an understanding had been come to 
with the master of the Yankee vessel lying in the harbour to 
signal the Alabama's departure. 

By dusk, Captain Seinmes' preparations were completed ; the 
funds, which the Martinique merchants had allowed to slip through 
their too-widely-opened fingers, were safely despatched on their 
way to Liverpool ; the necessary supplies were on board ; and, 
with decks cleared for action, all lights carefully extinguished, and 
all hands at quarters, the Alabama stole quietly from her anchor- 
age, and steamed cautiously across the harbour on her way to the 
open sea. 

It was a period of intense anxiety as the Alabama slipped 
silently through the tranquil water of the harbour, each moment 
bringing her nearer to the powerful enemy, who, when dusk had 
shut him from the.r view, had been planted in the very centre of 
the entrance, eagerly looking out for the expected prize. Pre- 
sently it was found that her movements were, at all events, known 
to the spies of the enemy, and a succession of signals from the 
Yankee vessel they had left at anchor were evidently intended to 
warn the San Jacinto of the attempted escape. Momentarily now 
was expected the flash of the enemy's gun, and the hoarse roar of 
his shot, and each crew stood by its loaded gun ready with a 
prompt reply. Not a word was uttered on the crowded deck, and 
so deep was the silence, that the low throbbing of the Alabama's 
propeller, as it revolved slowly in the water, seemed to strike on 
the ear with a noise like thunder. But the minutes passed by 
and the expected broadside never came. The straining eyes of 
the look-outs could see no sign of the San Jacinto. Either she 
had misunderstood the signals of her accomplice on shore, or by 
some strange fatality they had altogether escaped her ; and the 
Alabama held on her course unmolested, until, at twenty minutes 
past eight, less than an hour after the start, she was considered 
fairly out of danger of interception. 

The guns were now run in and secured, the word passed to the 
engineers to fire up and give her a full head of steam ; the men 
were piped below, and the Alabama, throwing off the silence in 
which for the last hour she had been wrapped fore and aft, darted 
off merrily over the rippling waves, in the direction of the island 
of Blanquilla, at the rate of fourteen knots an hour. It subse- 
quently transpired that, notwithstanding all her vigilance and all 
her pre-arranged signals, the San Jacinto had been totally unaware 
of the escape of her agile foe, and actually remained for four 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 137* 

days and four nights carefully keeping guard over the stable from 
which the steed had cleverly stolen away. 

The morning of the 21st of November found the Alabama off 
the Hermanas, and by 1.30 pm. she was in sight of the island of 
Blanquilla, the appointed rendezvous of the Agrippina, who had 
already, about nine o'clock that morning, been descried on the port 
bow making all speed towards her destined anchorage. Here 
both vessels arrived in the course of the afternoon ; the Alabama, 
which was a far swifter sailer than her merchant tender, being the 
first to drop anchor, and the Agrippina following her in. 

As the two vessels neared the shore, a schooner was discovered 
at anchor in the little bay, and on the approach of the strangers 
she hoisted the Stars and Stripes. On being overhauled by a 
boat, despatched for that purpose from the Alabama, she proved 
to be the United States whaling schooner, Clara L. Sparks, of 
Provincetown ; and great was the grief and astonishment of the 
unlucky master when the white flag of the Confederacy was disco- 
vered floating at the new comer's peak. 

The temptation was great to seize her, and devote her to the 
flames, but Captain Semmes was anxious for nothing so much as 
to avoid all possible ground of complaint with regard to any 
infringement of neutrality. It happened, fortunately for the Clara 
Sparks, that a few herdsmen from Venezuela were supporting a 
miserable existence in the barren island off which she was anchored, 
and to make prize of the vessel under these circumstances, might 
possibly be construed into a breach of neutral privilege. In the 
end, therefore, it was determined not to molest the whaler ; and 
her master was informed, much to his relief and delight, that so 
soon as the Alabama's arrangements were completed, he would be 
free to continue his course. Meanwhile, how-ever, it was peremp- 
torily necessary that he should not be permitted to escape, and 
reward the forbearance of his captors by giving her enemy infor- 
mation as to her whereabout. Orders were therefore given that 
the master and mate of the schooner should repair every evening 
on board the cruiser, remaining with her till the morning, when they 
were permitted to return on board, and resume their avocations. 

At 8 a.m. of Saturday, the 27th November, the operation of 
coaling commenced, the men working in groups, which were 
relieved every two hours, and by nightfall about seventy tons had 
been got on board. The wind was fresh enough to raise a slight 
sea, causing the two vessels to chafe considerably as the} 7 lay 
closely locked together for the purpose of transhipping the coal. 
But notwithstanding the breeze, the day was so hot as to deter 
Captain Semmes from visiting the shore, despite the inevitable 



I 

138* CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

longing, after a confinement on board of more than three months, 
to find the foot once more planted on solid ground. Some of the 
other officers, however, explored the island, which they found a 
barren place enough ; the three herdsmen, who constitute the en- 
tire population of the country, maintaining themselves after a 
fashion, by rearing a few goats. They must, indeed, lead a life of 
privation, the island producing scarcely anything; and even the 
water supply being extremely scanty, and so brackish as to be 
hardly fit for human use. 

Although to-day is the Sabbath — writes Captain Semmes, in his 
journal of the following day — I did not consider it any violation 
of Christian duty to continue coaling, as we are liable to be sur- 
prised at any moment, and to have our purpose defeated. 

So, too, thought the Alabama's crew, who worked cheerfully on 
throughout the day, completing their task by half-past eleven on 
the Monday morning. The Alabama had now on board about 285 
tons, nearly 200 tons having been received from the Agrippina. 
Estimating her consumption at sixteen tons a day, which would 
give a moderate rate of steaming, she had, therefore, in her bunk- 
ers fuel for about eighteen days. 

This important matter arranged, the next thing to be done was 
to send down the mainyard, which had been carried away in the 
cyclone, and roughly fished together, and to supply its place with 
the second new spar taken from the ship T. B. Wales. This 
occupied the greater portion of the 25th, and Captain Semmes 
then proceeded to " break out" the hold, for the purpose of taking 
stock of his provisions, no opportunity having yet offered, since 
the hurried shipment of stores ofF Terceira, to ascertain the pre- 
cise amount in hand of salted provisions, and other necessaries. 
Batches of liberty-men were also sent on shore to recruit them- 
selves with a run upon terra Jirma — an amusement in which such 
of the officers as could be spared were but too glad to join. 

Wednesday, the 26th November, saw all these arrangements 
completed, and the last batch of liberty-men safely on board again 
after their run. The Alabama was now ready for a fresh cruise, 
but before taking leave of Blanquilla, there was an act of justice 
to be done. Accordingly, that afternoon a court-martial was sum- 
moned for the trial of George Forrest, the seaman who had origi- 
nally deserted from the Sumter, and who, on his recapture, had 
been sentenced to serve out his time, forfeiting all pay, prize- 
money, &c. His present offence was that of endeavouring to 
incite the crew to mutiny, and of procuring with that object the 
liquor with which the rioters of the 18th November had been 
made intoxicated. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 139* 

The case was clearly proved, and after some consultation judg- 
ment was passed, sentencing him to lose all prize-money, and to be 
dismissed the ship in disgrace. At a quarter past seven in the 
evening, all hands were mustered aft to hear the sentence read ; 
and after a short but effective address from Captain Semmes, the 
prisoner was informed that he was now dismissed the Confederate 
service with the stain of infamy upon him, and bundled over the 
side into the boat that was to convey him to the shore. 

This ceremony over, and the ship rid of the incorrigible scoun- 
drel who had so long disgraced her, the men were dismissed, and 
preparations made for the Alabama's departure. She had been 
already preceded by the Agrippina, three of whose hands had 
volunteered in exchange for three from the steamer, and on the 
return of the boat no time was lost in getting her under way. 
The captain and mate of the Yankee schooner were released, and 
the Alabama stood out to sea under easy sail. 



CHAPTER XX. 

At sea again — Moulded into shape — House-cleaning — Rates of pay — A 
timely capture — The Parker Cook — A fix — A good night 's rest — Sang- 
froid — Amid jessamine bowers — Looking out for a rich prize — The 
Mina — " In consequence of the Alabama. 1 ' 

The Alabama was now on the look-out for a Californian steamer, 
and it was quite possible that in so doing she might run into a 
fight. However, should that be the case, there would be no dis- 
position to shirk it. The vessel was already three months in 
commission ; and though some of her crew had no doubt been 
originally a rough lot — the boys especially picked up in the streets 
of Liverpool, being designated by Captain Semmes as most incor- 
rigible young rascals — three months of stead) 7 , strong-handed 
discipline had done wonders in reducing these rough elements to 
order, and making out of a set of merchant sailors, gathered here 
and there at random by the prospect of high pay and stirring 
adventure, as orderly and well-trained a crew as could be found on 
board many a man-of-war of twice her length of service. 

All hands, then, were ready and eager for a brush with the 
enemy. It was necessary, of course, that the relative strength of 
the two ships should not be too disproportionate ; but the approach 
of an United States ship of anything like their own force would 
have been hailed with delight by all on board. 



140* CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

Considerable excitement was occasioned when, on the second 
day after leaving Blanquilla, a prospect of an encounter seemed to 
present itself. It was still early morning when a sail was reported 
on the lee bow, and soon the stranger was made out to be a large 
side-wheel steamer, barque-rigged, and standing towards the 
Alabama. She was of considerably superior size, but it was 
determined at least to see what she was made of; and the Alabama 
was luffed to the wind, while preparations were made for lowering 
her propeller and getting her under steam. It was soon perceived, 
however, that the stranger was keeping quietly on her course, 
without paying the slightest attention to these manoeuvres ; and 
as it was pretty certain that no enemy's ship, so greatly superior 
in size, would lose so tempting an opportunity, it was at once clear 
that she must needs be a neutral, probably some French war- 
steamer bound for Martinique. So the propeller was left where it 
was, and the Alabama slipt away again upon her course. 

At nine o'clock the same morning, the coast of Porto Rico was 
in sight, and a few hours afterwards the Alabama entered the 
Mona Passage, shortening sail as she did so to permit a barque to 
run up with her for the purpose of ascertaining her nationality. 
The barque, which proved to be English, dipped her ensign as she 
passed to the Stars and Stripes which were flying from the peak 
of the Alabama; but the compliment not being really intended 
for the Confederate vessel, but for her enemies, was, of course, not 
returned. 

The Mona Passage being the regular track of United States 
commerce, it was looked upon as almost a certainty that at least 
one cruiser would be stationed for its protection. A bright look- 
out, therefore, was kept, and hopes again ran high of a speedy 
brush with the Yankees. Nothing, however, appeared ; and the 
attention of the Alabama was for the most part devoted through- 
out the day to strictly domestic affairs. 

To-day — says Captain Semmes, in his journal — has been a great 
"house-cleaning" day with the first lieutenant, who, regardless of 
Mona Passages, strange sails, <fcc, is busy with his holy-stones and 
sand. * * * 

Gave an order to the paymaster to-day, authorising him to pay 
the increased rates agreed upon with the crew off Terceira, viz. 



Master-at-arms . . . per month 

Yeoman 

Ship's steward 

Ship's corporal 

Armorer 



£ 


s. Dollars 


6 


_ 29-04 


6 


— 2904 


G 


_ 29-04 


5 


10 — 26-62 





— 29 04 



CKUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 141* 



£ 


s. 


Dollars. 


5 


10 — 


26-62 


6 


— 


2904 


5 


10 — 


2662 


6 


— 


29-04 


6 


— 


2904 


6 


10 — 


26 62 


5 


10 — 


2662 


5 


10 — 


26-62 


5 


10 — 


26 62 


5 


10 — 


26-62 


5 


— 


24-20 


5 


— 


24-20 


5 


— 


24-20 


5 


— 


24-20 


5 


— 


24 20 


4 


10 — 


2178 


4 


— 


19-36 


3 


10 — 


1494 


2 


— 


968 


1 


— 


33-88 


6 


— 


24-20 



Ship's cook .... per month 

Chief boatswain's mate 

Second ditto 

Gunner's mate 

Carpenter's mate 

Sailmaker's mate 

Quartermaster 

Quarter gunners 

Cockswains 

Capt. of forecastle 

Capt. of top 

Capt. of aftguard 

Capt. of hold 

Cabin steward 

Ward-room steward 

Seamen 

O. seamen 

Landsmen 

Boys 

Firemen 

Trimmers 



Sunday, November ZOth. — Mustered and inspected the crew. 
At 9 a.m., sent a boat on board of a Spanish schooner twenty- 
days from Boston, bound to the port of San Domingo. Received 
some newspapers by her as late as to the 13th inst. Soon after- 
wards another sail was discovered to leeward, beating up the coast. 
Ran down for her, and when within proper distance hoisted United 
States colours. The stranger responded with the same ; where- 
upon, in accordance with our usual practice, we hoisted our own 
colours and fired a blank cartridge. This hove her to, when we 
sent a boat on board of her. She proved to be the barque Parker 
Cook, of and from Boston, bound to Cayes. This was a very 
timely capture, as we were running very short of provisions, and 
the prize was provision-laden. Got on board from her a quantity 
of pork, cheese, crackers, &c. ; and at 10 p.m. illuminated the 
shores of San Domingo with a flambeau furnished by wicked men 
who would gladly see another San Domingo revolution in our 
unhappy country. 

In the afternoon the weather became angry, and the wind blew 
fresh, raising a considerable sea. As we were in the bight of Sa- 
mana, I felt a little uneasy about drifting too near the shore. 
These are some of the anxieties of a commander that his officers 
scarcely ever know anything about. Our prize was burned off 
Cape Raphael. I did not turn in until near midnight ; was called 
two hours afterwards, upon having run a prescribed distance; 
turned in again, and had just fallen comfortably asleep, when the 



142* CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

officer of the deck came down in great haste to inform me that a 
large ship was standing down directly for us. We were hove to, 
and as the moon had gone down, and the night was dark, I knew 
she must be close aboard of us. I immediately ordered the main- 
topsail to be filled, and hurrying on a few clothes, sprang on deck. 
At a glance I saw that the danger was passed, as the intruder was 
abaft the beam, running to leeward. Wore round and followed him. 

Monday, December 1st. — A stiff trade, with squall clouds. A 
whirlwind passed near us. We had just time to take in the port 
studding sails, which had been set in chase of the unwelcome dis- 
turber of my rest last night. The chase proved to be a Spanish 
hermaphrodite brig. * * * * Land in sight on the port 
beam, and at noon the cape just ahead. 

Tuesday, December 2nd. * * * * Running down the land. 
Off the Grange at noon. Last night, at ten o'clock, a sail was re- 
ported on the port quarter, nearly astern, running down before the 
wind like ourselves. Having lights up, and looming up large, I 
called all hands to quarters and cleared the ship for action, pivot- 
ing on the port side, and loading the guns. As the stranger 
ranged up nearly abeam of us, distant about eight hundred yards, 
we discovered him to be a heavy steamer, under steam, and with 
all studding sails set on both sides. Here was a fix ! We had no 
steam ourselves, and our propeller was triced up ! 

A few minutes, however, decided our suspense. From the quiet 
movement of the steamer on her course, without shortening sail, or 
otherwise, so far as we could see, marking preparation for battle, it 
was quite evident that he was not an enemy. He was a ship of 
war — probably a Spaniard, bound from San Domingo to Cuba. 
My first intention was to range up alongside and speak him, and 
for this purpose I set the foresail and topgallant sails. But we 
were soon left far astern, and the stranger was out of sight long 
before we could have got up steam and lowered the propeller in 
chase. 

About 3 p.m. made the island of Tortuga. A sail reported on 
the starboard bow, standing across our bows on the port tack. 
Through the stupidity of the look-outs the next thing we knew 
was that she was off on the starboard quarter, and to windward 
of us, she having been on the starboard tack all the while ! I 
turned in to-night, hoping to get some rest, as I had been up the 
greater part of last night. But after undressing, and before getting 
into my cot (10 p.m.), the officer of the deck came below in a 
great hurry to say there was a large vessel running down on us — 
we were hove to — which appeared to be a steamer. Immediately 
ordered the officer to fill away ; went on deck, and at a glance 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 143* 

perceived that the sail was a brig running clear of us, and some 
distance astern. 

Went below again, and this time succeeded in actually getting 
into bed, when I was again aroused by the announcement that a 
vessel, with very white canvas, was running down upon us, a little 
forward of our weather beam. Went on deck, filled away again, 
and ran on under easy sail to assist the stranger's approach. The 
night squally, with showers of rain, and the wind fresh. At 1.30 
a.m. the stranger approached, and we spoke him. He was a small 
schooner — white, as almost all the West Indian schooners are — 
Spanish, &c. Turned in at two o'clock, and at daybreak down 
came intelligence again that there were two sail in sight, and at 7 
a.m., one of them being within signal distance, I had again to turn 
out. This night will serve as a specimen of a great many spent 
by me in my cruises. 

Wednesday, December 3rd. — We are cruising to-day, with the 
weather very fiue and clear, in the passage between San Domingo 
and Cuba. Caused two neutral vessels to show their colours, and 
at noon squared away for the east end of Cuba. Where can all 
the enemy's cruisers be, that the important passages we have lately 
passed through are all left unguarded ? They are off, I suppose, in 
chase of the Alabama ! 

At 10 p.m. a barque, having come quite near us in the bright 
moonlight, we fired a blank cartridge to heave him to, and wore 
ship. As he disregarded our signal, I directed a round shot to be 
fired at him above his hull. This had the desired effect, our shot 
passing — as we learned from him afterwards — between his fore- 
stay and foremast. He proved to be the French barque, Feu Sa- 
cre, from Port au Prince to Falmouth.* When asked why he did 
not heave to at the first shot, he replied that he was a Frenchman, 
and was not at war with anybody ! * * * At midnight made 
the light on Cape Maise. 

Thursday, December 4tk. — * * * * Standing off and on 
Cape Maise, waiting for our Californian friend, who should have 
left Aspinwall on the 1st, and should pass this point to-day or to- 
night. Fires banked, so as to give us steam at a short notice. Seve- 
ral sail passing during the day. Exercised the crew at the battery 
at sunset. A beautiful bright night, with the wind somewhat too 
fresh from theJN.E. Lying to off Cape Maise. Everybody on the 
tiptoe of excitement, and a good many volunteer look-outs. As for 

* From the boarding officer's memoranda it appears that the master of 
this vessel protested vehemently against being annoyed by United States 
vessels — the Alabama passing in this case as the U. S. ship Wyoming. 



144* CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

. 

myself, having put the ship in the right position, I turned in at 10 
p.m., giving orders not to call rue for a sail-ship, and got a good 
night's rest, of which I stood very much in need. 

Friday, December 5th. — A very fine morning, with highly-trans- 
parent atmosphere. The west side of Haiti visible, though distant 
ninety miles. On this fine balmy morning I enjoyed exceedingly 
the cheerful notes of our canary. This is a little prisoner made on 
board one of the whalers ; and sometimes at early morning I fancy 
myself amid "jessamine bowers," inhaling the fragrance of flowers 
and listening to the notes of the wild songsters so common in our 
dear Southern land. May God speedily clear it of the wicked, 
fanatical hordes that are now desolating it under pretence of liberty 
and free government! 

If the Californian steamers still take this route, the steamer of 
the 1st must have been delayed, otherwise she should have passed 
us last night. Several sail in sight, but I cannot yet leave my sta- 
tion to overhaul them, lest my principal object should be defeated. 
At noon, a schooner would insist on stumbling right into my path, 
without the necessity of a chase. I brought her to, and she proved 
to be United States property, She was the Mina, of and from 
Baltimore, for Port Maria, on the north side of Jamaica. Her 
cargo being English, I released her on a ransom bond for 15,000 
dollars. She was of ninety tons, and thirteen years old. Kept 
her by me until sunset, and then permitted her to depart, having 
sent on board her the prisoners from the barque Parker Cook. 

Our hopes of capturing a Californian steamer were considerably 
damped by the intelligence given us by the mate of this schooner, 
that these steamers no longer ran this route, but that the outward 
bound took the Mona Passage (?), and the homeward bound the 
Florida gulf passage. Still, I will wait a day or two longer to 
make sure that I have not been deceived. 

Saturday, December 6th. — * * * * At 9 a.m. hoisted 
the propeller, and made sail to the northward and eastward. The 
outsvard-bonnd Californian steamer is due off the Cape to-day, if 
she takes this route at all ; I will therefore keep the Cape in sight 
all day. I glean the following paragraph from a New York letter, 
published in a file of the Baltimore Sun, received from the 
schooner Mina : — 

" The shipments of grain from this port during the past week 
have been almost entirely in foreign bottoms, the American flag 
being for the moment in disfavour in consequence of the raid of 
the rebel steamer Alabama !" 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 137 



CHAPTER XXL 

The Alabama's lucky day — A trial of speed — Brought to — The Ariel 
— Buying an elephant — Prisoners of war — Prize-money — Still on 
the look out — Broken down — A dilemma — Yellow fever — Release 
of the Ariel — Under repair. 

Sunday again ! The Alabama's lucky day ; and this time, at 
least, destined to be especially marked with white chalk in the 
annals of the ship. The morning passed calmly enough ; the ship 
in her quiet Sabbath trim ; and nothing giving token of what was 
about to follow, save here and there a group anxiously scanning 
the horizon, or eagerly discussing the chances of a rich capture 
before nightfall. 

The forenoon wore slowly away, and five bells had just sounded, 
when the cry of "Sail, ho!" from the masthead put every one on 
the qui vive, the excitement growing rapidly more and more in- 
tense as bit by bit the description of the stranger became more 
accurate and minute. She is a steamer — and a large one ! That 
sounded well, and the hopes of the sanguine rose higher and 
higher. Brigantine rigged — and a side-wheel steamer ! — so far so 
good. This answers exactly to the description of the Californian 
steamers. A few minutes will decide it now ; the Alabama's 
canvas has some time since been snugly furled, the fires spread and 
well supplied with fresh fuel, the propeller lowered, and the ship's 
head turned in a direction to intercept the approaching vessel. 
Rapidly the chase looms larger and larger, as the two swift steam- 
ers approach each other at almost top speed. And now the huge 
walking-beam can be plainly distinguished, see-sawing «p and 
down between the lofty paddle-boxes, and the decks appear crowd- 
ed with hundreds of passengers, conspicuous among whom are to 
be seen the gay dresses of numerous ladies ; and — yes, surely that 
is the glimmer of bayonets, and that military-looking array drawn 
up on the hurricane-deck is a strong detachment of United States 
marines ! 

Swiftly, and in grim silence, the Alabama approached her huge 
but defenceless prey. From her open ports grinned the black 
muzzles of her six 32-pounders, each with its crew standing round, 
eager for the word. High above them towered the huge, black 
pivot-gun, while from the mizzen-peak floated the delusive Stars 
and Stripes, the sight of which was to tempt the stranger into a 
confession of his own nationality. 

7 



138 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

The ruse was, as usual, successful, and as the two vessels crossed, 
the Alabama passing a short distance astern of the stranger, the 
latter also hoisted United States colours, and expectation gave way 
to certainty among the delighted crew of the Confederate. steamer. 
Down came the Yankee colours from her gaff, and in its stead the 
white ensign of the Confederacy fluttered gaily in the breeze, 
while a blank shot from the Alabama's lee bow-chaser summoned 
the chase to surrender. Surrendering, however, seemed to be the 
last thing in the chase's thoughts. Already she was ahead of the 
Confederate cruiser, and trusting to her own well-known speed, 
appeared determined to make at least one effort to escape. She 
held steadily on her course, at top speed, without noticing the 
pursuer's summons; the black smoke that poured in volumes from 
her funnel, showiug no less plainly than the rapid revolutions of 
her paddles the strenuous exertions she was makiog to escape. 

This state of things, however, could not last long. For a few 
minutes the chase was permitted to try her speed against that of 
her pursuer ; but the latter soon found that with the highest pres- 
sure of steam she" had been able to raise during the short period 
that had elapsed since the enemy first hove in sight, she was by no 
means overhauling the chase as rapidly as could be desired. So 
the friendly warning having been disregarded, the adoption of 
more peremptory measures was decided on, and a shotted gun was 
ordered to be tired over her. 

Boom! went the Alabama's bow-chaser, as she yawed for a 
moment to permit the gunner to take aim — and boom ! at almost 
the same instant went one of her broadside guns, the enthusiastic 
captain of which could not contain himself until the order to fire 
was given, but must needs bring down upon himself a reprimand 
from the authorities of the quarter-deck for his precipitation. 
Fortunately, however, this irregular shot did no harm — not im- 
probably, perhaps, from the very fact of its having been lauuched 
so totally without consideration. The first, however, did its 
errand most effectively, and the shower of white splinters that flew 
from the chase's foremast as the shell, after grazing the funnel, 
struck full against it, afforded most satisfactory evidence of the 
accuracy of the line. Happily,'the shell contented itself with cut- 
ting the foremast very nearly in two, and did not explode until it 
had passed safely overboard, otherwise the havoc created by it on 
the crowded deck of the steamer must have been fearful. 

The hiut, however, was sufficient. The paddles of the chase 
ceased to revolve, the huge walking-beam remained poised in mid- 
air, and the steamer rounding to, submitted herself to her captors. 
A boat was now lowered and sent on board of the prize, which 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 139 

proved to be, as anticipated, the mail steamer Ariel, from New 
York to Aspinwall, having on board one hundred and forty ma- 
rines on their way to join the enemy's Pacific squadron ; several 
military and naval officers, among the latter of whom was Com- 
mander Sartori, on his way to take command of the St. Mary's ; 
and about five hundred other passengers, a large proportion of 
whom were women and children. 

The Alabama had " bought an elephant," and now the ques- 
tion arose — what was to be done with her valuable but most un- 
wieldy acquisition ? The first step, of course, was to send a prize 
crew on board. The second to transfer to the Alabama sundry 
important matters, such as the ship's papers, three large boxes of 
specie, a 24-pounder rifled gun, 125 new rifles, 16 swords, and 
about 1,000 rounds of ammunition. The marines and officers 
were then put on parole, the former being disarmed, and all 
pledged not to fight again against the Confederate States until 
they should be regularly exchanged. 

But this done, Captain Semmes' task was not half accomplished. 
There was still the ship herself to be disposed of, and with her the 
remaining five hundred and odd passengers, including among their 
number a large proportion of women and children. What was to 
be done ? It was clear he could not fire the ship until all these 
were safely out of her. It was at least equally clear that, squeeze 
and contrive how he would, he could not possibly transfer such a 
host of prisoners to his own already' sufficiently crowded decks. 
His only choice, then, was either to release the captured vessel at 
once, upon a ransom bond, or to keep her by him for a time in 
the hope that something might turn up to obviate the necessity of 
so unsatisfactory a step. Captain Semmes decided upon the latter 
course, and detaining the captain of the Ariel on board his own 
ship, sent a prize crew to take charge of the Ariel, with orders to 
keep company with the Alabama through the night. 

This done, the Alabama returned under easy sail to her station 
off the Cape, still anxiously looking out for the homeward-bound 
steamer, which wouhi of course prove a very far richer prize than 
the one home-bound vessel he had captured. The following af- 
ternoon the precaution was taken of disabling the captured ves- 
sel, by removing from her engines the " bonnet of the steam chest 
and a steam valve," which were sent into safe custody on board 
the Alabama ; care being also taken to prevent the Ariel from 
availing herself of her sails as a means of escape should the 
Alabama have to start off in pursuit of her homeward-bound 
consort. ^* . 

No homeward-bound steamer, however, appeared, and it was 



140 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

now determined to convey the Ariel into Kingston, Jamaica, 
where it was proposed to land the passengers, and after providing 
the Alabama, from the prize, with coal, provisions, and other 
matters of which she stood in need, to take her out again to sea 
and burn her. With this view the portions of the machinery 
which had been removed during the night were restored to their 
places, and the two vessels made sail towards Jamaica, on or about 
the line which it was supposed would be taken by the Californian 
steamer. 

The next morning was fine, and, with the prize in company, the 
island of Navaza was made at about 9.30 a.m., on the port bow ; 
and five hours afterwards the two steamers were in sight of the 
east end of Jamaica. By half-past seven that evening, the Ala- 
bama was within about nine miles of Point Morant Light, and 
checked her speed to enable the prize to come up with her. 

And now a catastrophe occurred which, but for the most care- 
ful and excellent manageraant, might have had most serious re- 
sults. At about eight o'clock in the evening chase was given to 
an hermaphrodite brig, on coming up with which a blank cartridge 
was fired, and a boat despatched to board her and examine her 
papers. At this moment, up came the engineer to report that the 
engine had suddenly become entirely useless from the giving way 
of some of the valve castings, and that twenty-four hours, at least, 
would be required before the damage could be repaired. At this 
untoward intelligence, the captain's first thought was of the chase, 
and, casting a rapid glance in that direction, to his equal amaze- 
ment and disgust, he perceived that she had not obeyed the signal 
to heave to, but was still standing quietly upon her course ! 

Here was, indeed, a pleasant predicament. Not a step could 
he stir in pursuit, nor did he dare fire a shot after the departing 
vessel, for fear, in the darkness of the night, of sending to the 
bottom his own boat, which was now in full pursuit of her. 
What if the boat should be led away too far in the ardour of the 
chase, and of course taking for granted that as soon as the brig- 
antine's contumacy was discovered, the Alabama herself would at 
once be after her ? What, too, if the Ariel should get scent of 
her captor's predicament, and take this favourable opportunity of 
showing her a clean pair of heels, carrying off the unlucky prize 
crew as a running horse might carry off the unskilful rider who 
had imprudently bestridden it? 

The moment was an anxious one, and great was the relief to 
the minds of all who were in the secret, when the welcome sound 
of oars working regularly backwards and forwards in their row- 
locks was again heard, and the boat returned, having managed to 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 141 

overhaul the stranger; the wind having fortunately fallen too 
light for her to escape. 

The chase proved to hail from one of the German States, and 
was just out of Kingston. According to her statement, this latter 
port was now suffering from a severe visitation of yellow-fever. 
This intelligence caused an entire change in the Alabama's plans. 
It had been Captain Semmes' intention to run into Kingston, and 
endeavour, at all events, to obtain permission to discharge his 
numerous prisoners ; this being, apparently, the only way in 
which he could hope to disencumber himself of them, except by 
releasing the ship at the same time. To turn some seven hundred 
prisoners, however, many of them delicate women and children, 
adrift in a place known to be suffering from the fearful scourge of 
yellow-fever, would have been an act of iuhumanity of which the 
Confederate captain was quite incapable. Sorely to his disappoint- 
ment, therefore, he felt himself compelled to abandon the King- 
ston scheme, and forego the pleasure of making a bonfire of the 
splendid steamer that had fallen into his hands. It is an ill wind 
that blows nobody any good, and to the yellow-fever were the pas- 
sengers by the Ariel indebted for an uninterrupted voyage, and her 
owners for the preservation of their valuable vessel. 

The question once decided in favour of the Ariel's release, it was, 
of course, under existing circumstances, an object of no small im- 
portance to get the matter concluded as speedily as possible. Had 
she only known her captor's crippled condition she would have 
had nothing to do but just to have steamed quietly away, taking 
the prize-crew with her as compensation lor the inconvenience to 
which she had been put by her detention. And any moment 
might reveal the all-important secret; so without delay, a boat 
was again sent on board for the master, who was evidently not 
a little relieved on being told that the vessel was to be re- 
leased. 

Some little discussion now arose as to the amount of ransom to 
be exacted, but both parties were equally, though not as openly, 
anxious to conclude the transaction ; and the amount was finally 
fixed at 261,000 dollars — a handsome sum, indeed, but one by 
no means exorbitant, when the value of the vessel to be ransomed 
is taken into consideration. 

The bond duly signed, and safely deposited among the other 
securities of the kind, Captain Semmes breathed more freely, and a 
feeling of satisfaction at having steered safely through a situation 
of such difficulty, offered some slight compensation for the disap- 
pointment arising from the enforced release of the prize. The 
two vessels now parted company ; all parties, both civil, naval, and 



142 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

military, on board of the Ariel, uniting their testimony in eulogy 
of the quiet, orderly, and respectful conduct of their unwelcome 
guests. So with mutual amenities the two courteous enemies 
parted, the Ariel steering a course to the S.S.W., the Alabama 
still hard at work in the repairs of her machinery, standing off and 
on within easy distance of the Jamaica coast, and keeping as far 
as possible from the track of vessels until the untoward disaster 
should be repaired. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Again ready — Gloomy weather — A Norther— The Areas — The 
second Christmas at sea — The war — Plymouth rock learen — On 
the lonely island — "Splicing the main-brace'' 1 — Searching for shells 
— Tired of hard service — In irons — Well disciplined — A phenom- 
enon — The new year — In memoriam — To sea again. 

The exciting episode of the Ariel was followed by a period al- 
together devoid of incident, though by no means destitute either 
of interest or anxiety for those on board the Alabama. From 
daybreak to dusk the click of the hammer, and the shrill scream- 
ing of the file, arose incessantly from r the engine room, as the 
engineer and his staff laboured without a pause to repair the 
damage to the machinery. The task proved even longer than 
had been anticipated, and it was not until the afternoon of the 
third day that the mischief had been finally remedied, and the 
Alabama was pronounced in a condition to resume with safety her 
destructive career. 

Meanwhile, a brighter look-out than ever was kept from her mast- 
heads. There was still a possibility — though but a slight one — of 
falling in with the homeward-bound Calit'ornian, for which they 
had been waiting so long and so anxiously; whilst it was more 
than ever necessary to care against surprise from any of the 
enemy's cruisers, who might fairly be expected to be in consider- 
able force somewhere in the neighbourhood. 

The northern shores of Jamaica, however, off which the Ala- 
bama was now lying, standing along the coast, under easy sail 
during the day, and at night laying her main topsail to the mast, 
appeared to be but little frequented by vessels of any kind, and 
the cruiser was permitted to carry on her repairs without a single 
interruption in the way of either a chase, or a call to quarters. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 143 

And it was perhaps as well that such an interval of rest should 
have been afforded after the severe strain of the previous few 
days. For Captain Serames, at all events, it was a great boon, 
for on that officer's never very robust constitution, the continued 
anxiety and constant night-calls on deck, in wind and rain, had 
had a very serious effect, and he was fairly laid up with cold and 
fever. 

The evening of Friday, December the 12th, saw the repairs of 
the machinery of the vessel completed, the Alabama being at 
nightfall about opposite to the little town of St. Anne's. That 
evening the crew were exercised at quarters ; and the next day, 
after a thorough cleaning of the decks, &c, the vessel ran away 
to the westward of the Island of Jamaica, en route for another 
point of rendezvous, at which to take in fresh coal, and other 
needful supplies. 

Saturday, December 13th. — * * * Nothing in sight, and 
I iutend to see nothing — unless it be a homeward-bound Cali- 
forniau steamer — at present, as it is important I should make the 
run I contemplate without being traced. I should 'have much 
liked to touch at the Caymans for fruit and vegetables for the 
crew, but forbear on this account. 



Monday, December 15th. — Fresh trade, ship rolling along under 
topsails. This running down, down, the ever-constant trade 
wind — to run up against it, by and by, under steam — is not very 
pleasant. Still, God willing, I hope to strike a blow of some im- 
portance, and make my way safely out of the Gulf. 

Wednesday, December 17 th. — The wind blew quite fresh during 
the night from about N.E. by N. To-day it is blowing a moderate 
gale from about N.N.E. This is probably a norther from the 
American coast, modified by its contact with the N.E. trade wind. 
The clouds look hard and wintry. Close-reefed at nightfall. 
* * * The gale has continued ail day, with a rough sea, in 
which the ship is rolling and tumbling about. Weather cloudy 
and gloomy-looking, and the wind moaning and whistling through 
the rigging — enough to give one the blues. These are some of 
the comforts of sea-going, and we have had our share of them in 
the Alabama. 

Thursday, December 18th. — The gale continues, with dense 
clouds in every direction obscuring the heavens so that we get no 
meridian altitude. I got a glimpse of the sun at about nine min- 
utes past noon. When one's ship is in a doubtful position, how 



144 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

eagerly and nervously one watches the shifting clouds near noon, 
and how remorsely they sometimes close up their dense masses 
just at the critical moment, shutting out from us the narrowly- 
watched face of the sun ! One is foolish enough sometimes almost 
to feel a momentary resentment against inanimate nature — weak 
mortals that we are ! 

The gale has drifted us so far to leeward that the wind from its 
present quarter will no longer permit us to "lay through" the 
Yucatan passage, so at 2 p.m. we tacked to the southward and 
eastward. Weather still thick in the afternoon, with light rain at 
intervals. We had a very ugly sea lashing us this morning — the 
ship rolling so heavily as to awaken me frequently, though I sleep 
in a swinging cot; and the water swashing over the decks, and 
rushing by bucketsful down the companion-way, which we are 
obliged to keep open to avoid being smothered. 

Friday, December \§th. — The gale continues with the tenacity 
of a norther, this being the third day. This is but a foretaste of 
the weather we may expect in the Gulf of Mexico. Being now in 
the Gulf of Honduras, there is but a small strip of land between us 
and it. 

Saturday, December 20th. — As ugly a day as one often sees, 
with a great variety of wind and weather. In the morning the 
wind was fresh from the N.E., with flying clouds, and a bright 
sun, now and then obscured. At about 9 a.m. a cloud bank in 
the north began to rise, and by 11.30 we had a densely overcast 
sky, with heavy rain-squalls. I was running for Cape Catoche, 
and was greatly disappointed at not getting a meridian altitude, 
especially after the promise of the morning. At about 11.30 
made the land — two islands, as described by the man at the mast- 
head. At 4 p.m. sounded in twenty-eight fathoms. Weather 
threatening a gale. At six, double-reefed the topsails, and sound- 
ed in twenty -five fathoms. I shall endeavour to feel my way 
around the Cape, and gradually bear up for the westward. The 
bank is apparently clean and safe, but still groping one's way in 
the dark in strange waters is a somewhat nervous operation. 

Sunday, December 2lst. — We doubled Cape Catoche very suc- 
cessfully last night, hauling around it gradually in from twenty-five 
to thirty fathoms, and ran along in the latter depth all night, 
course W. and W. by S., sounding every hour. The wind blew 
half a gale, and the weather looked threatening. This morning 
the wind hauled more to the eastward, and moderated somewhat. 
The sky still looks wintry, and the sun sheds a lurid light through 
a semi-transparent stratum of dull grey clouds. At 11 a.m. mus- 
tered the crews and at meridian passed a large steamer (hull down) 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 145 

steering to the eastward, probably a French ship of war from Vera 
Cruz. 

Monday, December 22nd. — Ran on during the night in a very 
regular line of soundings of twenty fathoms, on a W.S.W. course. 
At 9 p.m., having run within about twenty miles of the Areas, 
anchored for the night in twenty fathoms. 

Tuesday, December 23rd. — At 9 a.m. called all hands up an- 
chor, and at ten we were under way, steering W.S.W. ; at merid- 
ian observed six miles to the northward of the Areas, and altered 
course to S.W. At 1.30 p.m. made the Areas half a point on the 
starboard-bow, distant about twelve miles ; and at sunset came 
to anchor iu eleven fathoms of water, with the south Area bear- 
ing N.W. by N. In the course of the afternoon our coal-ship, 
which I had ordered to rendezvous here, hove in sight, and joined 
us at the anchorage a few minutes after we came to. 

Wednesday, December 24th. — In the forenoon went out of the 
harbour, and examined the entrances and anchorage. The dan- 
gers are all visible, and it is only necessary to give a berth to the 
reefs that make off from the points. There is an inner reef mak- 
ing off to the westward from the northern island ; but it, like the 
other, is visible, and there is no danger whatever in approaching 
it. The Areas are three low keys, lying in a triangle ; the north- 
ern key being the largest. We found a hut on this latter key, a 
boat hauled up on the island, a net inside the hut, a boiler or two 
for trying out oil, and other evidences of the inhabitancy of. fish- 
ermen or turtlers ; but this not beiug the season for these pur- 
suits, everything had apparently been abandoned for some time. 
Numerous birds of the gull species were the only living things 
found in the island, and of these there were varieties of old birds 
and their fledglings, and some of the former were still laying and 
sitting. They seemed to have no fear of our men, and suffered 
themselves to be caught by the hand, and knocked on the head 
with sticks. The vegetation found was on the larger island, and 
on that it consisted of a dense carpeting of sea-kale — not a shrub 
of any kind. In the transparent waters on the inner reef, a great 
variety of the living coral was found in all its beauty, imitating 
the growth of the forest on a small scale. At p.m. we got 
under way, and stood in and anchored under the south side of the 
larger island in nine fathoms, and moored ship with an open 
hawse to the north. 

We entered by the S.E. passage between the south and the 
north islands. The barque followed us, coming in by the S.W. 
passage between the south and the west islands, and anchored a 
little to the S.E. of us. Our anchorage is open to the S.E., but at 

7* 



146 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

this season it does not blow from that quarter, and probably 
would not bring in much sea if it did. We feel very comfortable 
to-night in snug berth. 

Thursday, December 25th. — Christmas-day ! — the second Christ- 
mas since we left our homes in the Sumter. Last year we were 
buffeting the storms of the North Atlantic "\ear the Azores ; now 
we are snugly anchored in the Areas : and how many eventful 
periods have passed in the interval ! Our poor people have been 
terribly pressed in this wicked and ruthless war, and they have 
borne privations and sufferings which nothing but an intense pat- 
riotism could have sustained. They will live in history as a people 
worthy to be free ; and future generations will be astonished at 
the tolly and fanaticism, wickedness and want of principle, devel- 
oped by this war among the Puritan population of the North. 
And in this class may nine-tenths of the native population of the 
Northern States be placed, to such an extent has the "Plymouth 
Rock" leaven " leavened the whole lump." A people so devoid 
of Christian charity, and wanting in so many of the essentials of 
honesty, cannot but be abandoned to their own folly by a just and 
benevolent God. 

Our crew is keeping Christmas by a run on shore, which they 
all seem to enjoy exceedingly. It is, indeed, very grateful to the 
senses to ramble about over even so confiued a space as the Areas, 
after tossing about at sea iu a continued state of excitement for 
months. Yesterday was the first time I touched the shore since I 
left Liverpool on the 1 8th August last, and I was only one week 
in Liverpool after a voyage of three weeks from the Bahamas; so 
that I have in fact been but one week on shore in. five montlis. 
My thoughts naturally turn on this quiet Christmas-day, in this 
lonely island, to my dear family. I can only hope, and trust them 
to the protection of a merciful Providence. The only sign of a 
holiday on board to-night is the usual "splicing of 'the main-brace" 
— Anglici, giving Jack an extra allowance of grog. 

Friday, December 26th. — * * * Weather fine, but the barometer 
has gone down the tenth of an inch to day, and is now (7 p.m.) 
29.96. I shall begin to look for a norther in about twenty-four 
hours. We commenced caulking our leaky decks to-day, and 
despatched the launch to assist in ballasting the barque. I strolled 
on the islands to-day, and amused myself searching tor shells along 
the beach. There are some very pretty diminutive shells to be 
found, similar to those on the Florida coast ; but none of a larger 
size than the common " conch," of which there are a few. We 
have made free with the turtle nets of the fishermen found in the 
huts, and have set them. As yet, we have only caught two or three 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 147 

small turtle. I landed on the south island to-day, where they are 
getting off ballast. This islet is occupied exclusively by the black 
man-of-war bird ; whilst the north islet seems to be divided be- 
tween the white gannet (with the lower edges of its wings black) 
and the black warrior ; the colonies being quite distinct. The 
birds are still laying and incubating. 

Saturday, December 2ltk. — The barometer has risen again, and 
the weather still continues fine. Ballasting the barque, and over- 
hauling and setting up our topmast and lower rigging, aud caulk- 
ing decks. Took a stroll in the north island towards sunset. It is 
dull recreation after the novelty has worn off, with the somewhat 
tough walking through the sand, and the smell and filth of the 
clouds of gannet. 

Sunday, December 28th. — Weather cloudy, with the wind from 
the N.E. At 8.30 descried a schooner from aloft in the N.W., the 
first sail we have seen, and quite an unexpected sight at this season 
of the year. After we had armed and manned the cutter, to 
board the sail when it should heave in sight from the deck, it was 
ascertained that the look out had been deceived, and that the sup- 
posed sail was probably a cloud in the horizon, it having suddenly 
disappeared. 

At 11 a. m. mustered the crew and inspected the ship. A quiet 
Sabbath. Strolled on the island towards sunset, with the gannets 
for companions, the surf for music, and the heavy sand for a prom- 
enade. The weather cleared at nightfall, with the breeze fresh 
from the N.N.E. Some of the men are getting tired of their hard 
service ; the chief boatswaiu's-mate having applied to return to 
England in the barque. Refused him permission, of course. Con- 
stant cruising, vigilance against being surprised by the enemy, 
salt provisions, and a deprivation of the pleasures of port, so 
dear to the heart of a seaman, are probably what most of them 
did not expect. A tight rein and plenty of work will cure the 
evil. 

Monday, December 29th. — Weather clear and fine. At day- 
light hauled the barque alongside, and commenced coaling. An- 
other seaman got drunk to-day, and seized his bag to go on board 
the barque to return to England. Confined him in double irons. 
Many of my fellows no doubt thought they were shipping in a 
sort of privateer, where they would have a jolly good time and 
plenty of license. They have been wofully disappointed, for I 
have jerked them down with a strong hand, and now have a well- 
disciplined ship of war, punishment invariably follows immediately 
on the heels of the offence. It has taken me three or four months 
to accomplish this, but when it is considered that my little king- 



148 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

dora consisted of one hundred and ten of the most reckless from 
the groggeries of Liverpool, this is not much. 

Tuesday, December 30th. — The weather still continues re- 
markably fine, with a moderate breeze from the E.S.E. We 
finished coaling to-day, and hauled the barque off in the after- 
noon. Getting ready generally for our dash at tne enemy's 
coasts; or rather, at the enemy on our own coasts, of which he is 
in possession. A brig hove in sight to-day to the S^ and E., ap- 
proaching the islands on the starboard tack, until she became 
visible from the bridge, and then tacking — probably a French- 
man, making way from Vera Cruz to the eastward on the banks. 
Took my usual afternoon stroll on shore. About nightfall, the 
sky assumes a peculiarly lurid aspect, becoming dark overhead, 
whilst the western horizon is lighted up with the rays of the set- 
ting sun, although there is not a cloud visible. One witnessing 
such a scene elsewhere would fancy himself on the eve of a storm ; 
I attribute it to the reflection from the green waters of the bank. 
We have cleared away all the old eggs from the gannets' nests, 
and these prolific layers are now supplying us with fresh. Of fish 
we can catch none, except by trolling. We have no better success 
with our turtle nets. 

Wednesday, December 31st. — The weather has been good all 
day, though we have had a heavy surf on all the reefs, indicating 
that there is a gale somewhere in our vicinity — probably a norther, 
along the Mexican coast to the west of us. The wind is at N.N.E. 
and moderate, and the barometer has been rising all day, though 
it has n.ot been a tenth below 30.21 ; it is now (4 p.m.) 30.15, so 
we shall probably not feel the gale here. 

Thursday, January 1st. — The first day of the new year. 
What will it bring forth ? The Almighty for a wise purpose hides 
future events from the eyes of mortals, and all we can do is to per- 
form well our parts, and trust the rest to His guidance. Success, 
as a general rule, attends him who is vigilant and active. It is 
useful to look back on the first day of the new year and see how 
we have spent the past; what errors we have committed, aud of 
what faults we have been guilty, that we may in the future avoid 
"the one and reform the other. 

Although the wind blew pretty fresh during the past night, we 
did not feel the gale in any force ; and to-day it has moderated, 
and the weather become fine again. Still caulking and painting. 
The former seems to be an interminable job with our small gang 
of caulkers. In the afternoon a brig approached the island, near 
enough to be seen, hull up, from the deck. She was beating up 
the bank to the eastward ■ probably from Vera Cruz. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 149 

Friday, January 2nd. — The wind has teen fresh all day from 
the eastward, bringing in some sea, and as we have been riding 
across the tide, the ship has had some motion. Caulking and 
painting, tarring down and squaring ratlines, &c. Commenced 
condensing water to supply the barque for her return voyage to 
England. I must get to sea on Tuesday, though I fear we shall 
not have finished caulking ; but Banks' expedition must be assemb- 
ling off Galveston, and time is of importance to us if we would 
strike a blow at it before it is all landed. My men will rebel a little 
yet. I was obliged to-day to trice one of them up for a little in- 
solent behaviour. 

Saturday, January 3d. — A gale opened after all from the S.E., 
which I had hoped to escape, so rare is it to have blows from this 
quarter at this season of the year. We have veered to forty-five 
fathoms on each chain, and are in six fathoms water astern (there 
being nine where the anchors are), and are tailing directly on the 
surf, with a few hundred feet only between us and it, which of 
course makes me feel a little solicitude. We are "open to the S.E. 
winds, though these blow over the bank from landwards. Still 
the water is deep and the land distant, and a considerable sea comes 
in. I have ordered the fires to be lighted under another boiler to 
guard against accidents. The Areas are a dirty little anchorage 
for large ships, being but an open roadstead, affording good shelter 
only from the north. There is a very small basin between the two 
reefs, running off from the northern island, fit for very small ves- 
sels, where they could be made secure against northerly and south- 
erly winds; but everywhere they would be exposed more or less 
to wind from the westward. 

Sunday, January 4th. — Weather clear, with the wind fresh 
from the S. E., dying away in the afternoon. Having determined 
to get to sea this evening, we commenced getting our coal-bags on 
board from the barque, omitting the usual Sunday muster. Busy 
with the seamen, as usual on such occasions, sending home their 
allotments, &c. The weather begins to portend a norther, so I 
have directed the engineer to hold on with his steam for the pres- 
ent. 

Monday, January 5th. — It did not blow last night as I expected. 
This morning the wind has gone round again. I cannot wait 
longer for the norther,* so I must get under way. At 11 a.m. 

* One of the officers of the Alabama enters in his journal that on this 
day, in anticipation of news being received of Lincoln's proclamation, a 
tombstone, consisting of a board about four feet in length and two in 
breadth, was sent on shore and placed in the most prominent position the 
largest island afforded. Inscribed on the tombstone, in black letters on a 



150 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

got under way, and stood out from the anchorage under steam. 
Let the steam go down, hoisted the propeller, and put the ship 
under sail. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Another mission — General Banks' 1 expedition — To Galveston — Sun- 
day the llth of January — A small mistake — Preparing for action 
— The Hatteras — A fight in the dark — Sharp and decisive — Sur- 
render — Rescue of the crew — Sunk! — Casualties — Out of the hor- 
net's nest. 

Contrary to her usual aspirations, the principal wish of the Ala- 
bama, as she started on this fresh cruise, was to reach her destina- 
tion without having seen a single vessel. She was now in fact on 
a service of a kind altogether different from that which had yet 
occupied her. In his address to the crew, upon taking command 
off Terceira, Captain Semmes had promised that the first moment 
they were in a condition of training and discipline, to enable them 
to encounter the enemy, they should have an opportunity of doing 
so. That time had come, and laying aside for a short period her 
more especial role of annihilating as rapidly as possible the ene- 
mv's commerce, the Alabama set steadily out in search of a 
fight. 

The grand expedition of General Banks, which had been the 
subject of so much speculation in the United States, and of which 
their newspapers had long before duly informed the Confederate 
cruiser, seemed to offer the most favourable opportunity possible 
for such an enterprise. The expedition would, of course, be ac- 
companied by one or more armed vessels, but the principal por- 
tion of it would be composed of troop-ships, crowded with the ene- 
my's soldiers ; and should the Alabama but prove victorious in 
the fight, these transports would be a prize of more practical im- 

white ground, was the following : — " In memory of Abraham Lincoln, 
President of the late United States, who died of nigger on the brain, 1st 
January, 1863." — "No. 290." Upon a piece of paper, protected from the 
weather, was written in Spanish — " Will the finder kindly favour me by 
forwarding this tablet to the United States Consul, at the first point he 
touches at ?" This affair originated with, and was executed by, the steer- 
age officers. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 151 

portance than all the grain and all the oil ever carried in a mer- 
chantman's hold. 

It was a daring adventure certainly. To steer, with a solitary 
light-armed sloop, close upon a .coast, blockaded from north to 
south, by hundreds of armed vessels, in deliberate quest of a 
squadron, not improbably four or five times stronger than herself, 
was an act of almost reckless hardihood, fully in keeping with the 
rest of the Alabama's career. The event indeed proved the full 
danger of the adventure ; whilst, at the same time, nothing could 
have more clearly showed how utterly groundless were the das- 
tardly imputations upon the courage and prowess of her crew, 
poured out daily from the foul-mouthed organs of the Northern 
press. There could be no question of the fighting qualities, or 
disposition, of the Confederate cruiser, after such a test as this. 

For five days the Alabama kept steadily on her course for Gal- 
veston, where she expected to find the fleet of which she was in 
search. At length, on Sunday, the 11th January — her "lucky 
day" — the moment so anxiously looked for came. 

Our position at noon — writes Captain Semmes — put us just 
within thirty miles of Galveston, and I stood on, intending either 
just to sight the shipping at a great distance, without being seen 
myself, or else to anchor just out of sight until the moon should 
rise the following night, which would be about half-past eleven, 
and then run in, and attack, as I hoped, " Banks' expedition." 
Owing, however, to a little carelessness in the look-out at " mast- 
head," we were permitted to approach the ships anchored off the 
bar in such plain sight, before they were announced, that we were 
discovered, although we tacked immediately and stood off, in the 
hopes of eluding the vigilance of the enemy. 

There were three ships found lying off the bar — one heavily- 
sparred ship, which our look-out took for a sail frigate, but which 
afterwards proved to be the Brooklyn steamer, our old friend that 
chased us in the Sumter, and two steamers supposed to be propel- 
lers. Very soon one of the steamers was seen to be getting up 
steam, and in about an hour and a half afterwards she was report- 
ed to be under weigh, standing out for us. 

I lowered the propeller, and directed steam to be got in readi- 
ness, and awaited the approach of the stranger, who overhauled us 
very slowly, and seemed to reconnoitre us, as he came along, with 
great caution. 

All this time we were standing on under topsails away from the 
bar, and the stranger was approaching us stern on. I gave my 
ship a little motion with the engine occasionally, both to draw the 



152 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

enemy — for I, of course, supposed him to be such — away from his 
consorts, so that in case of a conflict the latter might not hear our 
guns, and to prolong the time until dark to enable me to take in 
my topsails, and close with him in so short a time that the move- 
ment should not be noticed by him until too late to escape, which 
I feared he might attempt, if he saw me turn upon him with the 
intention of pursuing him. 

Accordingly, soon after dark — the enemy in the meantime 
having approached us so near as not to endanger our losing sight 
of him — 1 clewed up, and furled the topsails, beat to quarters, and 
doubled suddenly upon the stranger. He came in quite boldly, 
and when within hailing distance of us, hailed us, and inquired — 

"What ship is that?" 

44 Her Majesty's ship Petrel. What ship's that ?" 

To this inquiry there was no reply, and although we repeated 
it several times there was no rejoinder. 

During the colloquy, I endeavoured to place myself in a raking 
position astern of him, which he as carefully avoided by keeping 
his broadside to me. From this manoeuvre I knew him pretty 
certainly to be an enemy, and having approached to within about 
two hundred yards, I directed my First Lieutenant to repeat the 
question. "What ship's that?" was accordingly again shouted, 
and this time there was a reply. 

We distinctly heard that he was an United States something or 
other, but the name we could not make out. I then directed the 
First Lieutenant to tell him that this was the Confederate States 
steamer Alabama, and to open fire on him immediately, which we 
did from our starboard battery. He returned our fire in a minute 
or two, and the action was thus commenced. 

We continued to run side by side at a distance ranging from 
two to five hundred yards, both of us keeping up a rapid fire of 
both artillery and rifles, when, after the lapse of thirteen minutes, 
the enemy fired two guns from his off, or starboard side, and 
showed a light above his deck in token of his being whipped. 

At once we ceased firing, and approaching him still nearer, 
asked him if he surrendered and needed assistance. To both of 
these questions he replied in the affirmative, and we immediately 
despatched our quarter boats to him ; these, with his own four 
boats, were busily employed in transporting the crew on board, 
which had only been accomplished when the ship went down.* 

* United States Consulate, Kingston, 

Jamaica, Jan., 21, 1868. 
Sib,— It ig my painful duty to inform the Department of the destruction 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 153 

The prize proved to be the United States gunboat Hatteras, 
Lieut-Commanding H. C. Blake, which officer came on board 
after his crew had been transported, and delivered up his sword. 
I said to him : — 

'* I am glad to see you on board the Alabama, and we will 
endeavour to make your time a-s comfortable as possible." 

of the United States steamer Hatteras, recently under my command, by 
the rebel steamer Alabama, on the night of the 11th instant, off the coast 
of Texas. The circumstances of the disaster are as follows : — 

Upon the afternoon of the 11th iust., at 2.30 p.m., while at anchor in 
company with the fleet under Commodore Bell, off Galveston, Texas, I 
was ordered by signal from the United States flag-ship Brooklyn to chase 
a sail to the southward and eastward. I got under weigh immediately, 
and steamed with all speed in the direction indicated. After some time, 
the strange sail could be seen from the Hatteras, and was ascertained to 
be a steamer, which fact I communicated to the flag-ship by signal. I 
continued the chase, and rapidly gained upon the suspicious vessel. 
Knowing the slow rate of speed of the Hatteras, I at once suspected that 
deception was being practised, and hence ordered the ship to be cleared 
for action, with everything in readiness for a determined attack and a 
vigorous defence. 

When within about four miles of the vessel, I observed that she had 
ceased to steam, and was lying broadside and awaiting us. It was nearly 
seven o'clock, and quite dark ; but notwithstanding the obscurity of the 
night, I felt assured, from the general character of the vessel and her 
manoeuvres, that I should soon encounter the rebel steamer Alabama. 
Being able to work but four guns on the side of the Hatteras — two short 
32-pounders, one 30-pounder rifled Parrot gun, and one 20-pounder rifled 
gun — I concluded to close with her that my guns might be effective, if 
necessary. 

I came within easy speaking range — about seventy-five yards — and 
upon asking " What steamer is that?" received the answer, "Her Bri- 
tannic Majesty's ship Petrel." I replied that I would send a boat aboard, 
and immediately gave the order. In the meantime the vessels were 
changing positions, the stranger endeavouring to gain a desirable position 
for a raking fire. Almost simultaneously with the piping away of the 
boat the strange craft again replied, " We are the Confederate steamer 
Alabama," which was accompanied with a broadside. I at the same 
moment returned the fire. Being well aware of the many vulnerable 
points of the Hatteras, I hoped, by' closing with the Alabama, to be able 
to board her, and thus rid the seas of the piratical craft. I steamed di- 
rectly for the Alabama, but she was enabled by her great speed and the 
foulness of the bottom of the Hatteras, and consequently her diminished 
speed, to thwart my attempt when I had gained a distance of but thirty 
yards from her. At this range musket and pistol shots were exchanged. 
The firing continued with great vigour on both sides. At length a shell 
entered amidships in the hold, setting fire to it, and at the same instant — 
as I can hardly divide the time — a shell passed through the sick bay, ex- 
ploding in an adjoining compartment, also producing fire. Another 
entered the cylinder, filling the engine-room and deck with steam, and 
depriving me of my power to manoeuvre the vessel, or to work the pumps, 
upon which the reduction of the fire depended. 



154 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

The Hatteras had the following armament, viz. : — 32-pounders 
of 27 cwt., 4 ; 30-pouuders, rifled, 2 ; 20-pounders, rifled, 1 ; 12- 
pounders, howitzer, 1 : total, 8. 

The armament of the Alabama was : — 32-pounders of 52 cwt., 
6 ; 100-pounders, rifled, 1 ; 24-pounders, rifled, 1 ; 8-inch shell 
gun, 1 : total, 9. 

With the vessel on fire in two places, and beyond human power, a 
hopeless wreck upon the waters, with her walking-beam shot away, and 
her engine rendered useless, I still maintained an active fire, with the 
double hope of disabling the Alabama and attracting the attention of the 
fleet off Galveston, which was only twenty-eight miles distant. 

It was soon reported to me that the shells had entered the Hatteras at 
the water-line, tearing off entire sheets of iron, and that the water was 
rushing in, utterly defying every attempt to remedy the evil, and that 
she was rapidly sinking. Learning the melancholy truth, and observing 
that the Alabama was on my port bow, entirely beyond the range of my 
guns, doubtless preparing for a raking fire of the deck, I felt I had no 
right to sacrifice uselessly, and without any desirable result, the lives of 
all under my command. 

To prevent the blowing up of the Hatteras from the fire, which was 
making much progress, 1 ordered the magazine to be flooded, and after- 
wards a lee gun was fired. The Alabama then asked if assistance was de- 
sired, to which an affirmative answer was given. 

The Hatteras was then going down, and in order to save the lives of my 
officers and men, I caused the armament on the port side to be thrown 
overboard. Had I not done so, I am confident the vessel would have 
gone down with many brave hearts and valuable lives. After consider- 
able delay, caused by the report that a steamer was seen coming from 
Galveston, the Alabama sent us assistance ; and I have the pleasure of 
informing the Department that every living being was conveyed safely 
from the Hatteras to the Alabama. 

Two minutes after leaving the Hatteras, she went down, bow first, 
with her pennant at the mast-head, with all her muskets and stores of 
every description, the enemy not being able, owing to her rapid sinking, 
to obtain a single weapon. * 

The battery upon the Alabama brought into action against the Hat- 
teras numbered nine guns, consisting of six long 32-pounders, one 100- 
pounder, one 68-pounder. and one 24-pounder rifled gun. The great 
superiority of the Alabama, with her powerful battery, and her machinery 
under the water-line, must be at once recognized by the Department, who 
are familiar with the construction of the Hatteras, and her total unfitness 
for a conflict with a regular built vessel of war. 

The distance between the Hatteras and the Alabama during the action 
varied from twenty-five to one hundred yards. Nearly fifty shots were 
fired from the Hatteras, and I presume a greater number from the Ala- 
bama. 

I desire to refer to the efficient and active manner in which Acting- 
master Porter, executive officer, performed his duty. The conduct of the 
Assistant-surgeon, Edward S. Matthews, both during the action and after- 
wards, in attending to the wounded, demands my unqualified commend- 
ation. I would also bring to the favourable notice of the Department 
Acting-master's mate McGrath, temporarily performing duty as gunner. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 155 

A great disparity in weight of metal in our power ; but we 
equalized this to a considerable extent by the fair fight which we 
showed the enemy in approaching him so very close as to render 
his small guns almost as efficient as larger ones. 

The tonnage of the Hatteras was eleven hundred tons ; mate- 
rial, iron, with watertight compartments ; age, eighteen months. 
Her crew numbered a hundred and eight men, and eighteen offi- 
cers; our own numbering a hundred and eleven men, aud twenty- 
six officers. 

The casualties on both sides were slight. On board the enemy 
two were missiug (firemen), supposed to have been killed in the 
fire-room, and three wounded, one of them severely, and two 
slightly. On board ourselves, only two slightly wounded. 

After the action had been over au hour or more, and whilst I 
was steaming off on my course, it was reported to me that a boat 
of the enemy, containing an acting master and five men, which 
had. been lowered before we opened fire upon him, to board "Her 
Majesty's steamer Petrel," had escaped. As the sea was smooth 
and the wind blowing gently towards the shore, distant only about 
nineteen miles, this boat probably reached the shore in safety in 
five or six hours. The night was clear and starlit, and it would 
have no difficulty in shaping its course. But for these circum- 
stances, I should have turned back to look for it, hopeless as this 
task must have proved in the dark. The weather continued mod- 
erate all night, and the wiud to blow on shore. 

It was ascertained that Galveston had been retaken by us, and 

Owing to the darkness of the night and the peculiar construction of the 
Hatteras, lam OWly able to refer to the conduct of those officers who came 
under my especial attention ; but from the character of the contest, and 
the amount of damage done to the Alabama, I have personally no reason 
to believe that any officer failed in his duty. 

To the men of the Hatteras I cannot give too much praise. Their 
enthusiasm and bravery were of the highest order. 

I enclose the report of Assistant-surgeon E. S. Matthews, by which you 
will observe that five men were wounded and two killed. The missing, it 
is hoped, reached the fleet at Galveston. 

I shall communicate to the Department, in a separate report, the move- 
ments of myself and my command from the time of our transfer to the 
Alabama until the departure of the earliest mail from this place to the 
United States. 

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

H. C. Blake, 
Lieutenant Commanding. 
Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. 

For a further account of this action from the journal of one of the jun- 
ior officers, see Appendix. 



156 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

that the Brooklyn and four of the enemy's steam-sloops were off 
the port, awaiting a reinforcement of three other ships from New 
Orleans to cannonade the place. So there was no u Banks' expe- 
dition," with its transports, heavily laden with troops, &c, to be 
attacked, and but for the bad look-out of our man at the mast- 
head, we should have got instead into a hornet's nest. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 

Crowded with prisoners — Chasing a friend — At Jamaica — Enthusias- 
tic reception — Best on shore — Speech making — Up anchor I — A 
prize — Case of the Golden Rule — Reinstating the discipline — Cap- 
ture of the Chastelain — San Domingo — The Palmetto — Men of the 
day in the United States. 

The Alabama's little fighting holiday was over, and she returned 
to her appointed task of annoying the enemy's commerce. Her 
course lay towards Jamaica, the captain being anxious to relieve 
himself as soon as possible of the nest of prisoners that crowded 
his decks, and were necessarily the occasion of considerable incon- 
venience to both men and officers. The latter especially were 
most uncomfortably crowded, the captain setting the example of 
self-sacrifice, by giving up his state-room for the benefit of Lieuten- 
ant Blake, Commander of the sunken Hatteras. 

It may be supposed that, under these circumstances, the Alaba- 
ma was not very anxious to increase the number of her involuntary 
passengers. Still duty was duty, and when, on the day following 
the engagement, a sail was reported from aloft, chase was at once 
given, and expectation again on tiptoe at the thought of a prize. 
No prize, however, was to be taken that day. At about half-past 
two, the Alabama came within signal-distance of the chase, and 
was already busy exchanging the usual information, when the 
11 stranger" barque was discovered to be no other than their old 
friend and faithful tender the Agrippina ; and the Alabama con- 
tinued her course, not a little amused at her own blunder in thus 
chasing her most particular friend. 

Another week passed by .vith no event of interest, the Alabama 
working her way towards Jamaica, through a succession of more 
or less heavy gales, which, in the crowded state of the ship, were 
anything but comfortable. On iie 20th January, she sighted 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 157 

land a little before daybreak, passing Portland at about 3 p.m., and 
arriving off the lighthouse on Plum Point at half-past four. Here 
French colours were displayed in case of accident, and a gun fired 
for a pilot. At about half-past six, that important individual made 
his appearance, and in about three-quarters of an hour more the 
Alabama was safely at anchor in Port Royal harbour. 

Wednesday, January 2lst. — Found here several English men-of- 
war — the Jason, the Challenger, the Greyhound, &c, the Com- 
manders of all of which called on us. I saw the Commodore 
(Dunlop) this morning, and requested of the Governor through 
him permission to land my prisoners, &c, which was readily 
granted. Made arrangements for coaling and provisioning the 
ship, and for repairing damages ; and in the afternoon ran up to 
Kingston, and thence proceeded to the mountains with Mr. Fyfe. 

Thursday, January 22nd. — Had a delightful ride over a fine, 
natural McAdamized road, for about ten miles, and thence by 
horse and bridle-path through the most picturesque of moun- 
tainous regions, with its lovely valleys, abrupt precipices, streams 
of water, luxuriant foliage, &c, to Flamstead, the residence of the 
Rev. Mr. Fyfe, who soon returned from town and received me most 
hospitably.* Spent a delightful, quiet day, riding to Flamstead, 
and walking in the afternoon along the winding mountain paths. 
Jamaica — that is, the south side — is a wilderness, and the town of 
Kingston a ruin. The negro population idle, thriftless, and greatly 
subject to diseases of an inflammatory kind. No morals — gross 
superstition, &c. 

Friday, January 23rd.— Rode over to, and spent a day and 
night at, Blocksburgh, visiting en route the English-looking cottage 
of Captain Kent, now absent in England. Had some lady-visitors 
at Blocksburgh in the evening. 

Saturday, January 24th. — Returned to town to-day by the 
way of Mr. Mais' fairy little cottage, kept in the nicest of order, 
and in a perfect picture of a country. Upon my arrival in town I 
found that my friends had kindly put a notice in the papers, in- 
forming the good people that I would be at the Exchange at noon, 

* As soon as our arrival became known the most intense excitement 
prevailed. It is impossible to describe the hospitable welcome we re- 
ceived, every one placing their houses at our disposal. Up to 9 p.m. visi- 
tors were constantly received, all expressing a most hearty, encouraging 
sympathy for our cause, and speaking hopefully for our prospects. Still 
the same enthusiasm prevails : visitors of each sex and every class coin- 
ing on board, officers and men going on shore, and receiving the most 
flattering attentions. 



158 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

<fcc, &c. Was obliged to go, and rtia'de a speech to the people, 
which was well received. Keturned on board in the evening. 

Sunday, January 25th. — Workmen still engaged trying to get 
the ship ready for sea to-night. Returned my visits to the Eng- 
lish Captains, all of whom I found very agreeable. Settling the 
ship's bills, and getting the drunken portion of my crew on board 
by aid of the police. Three of them in broad daylight jumped 
into a shore boat and tried to escape ; but we pursued and captured 
them. Work all done, and fires lighted at 5 p.m., and at half-past 
eight we steamed out of the harbour. 

Monday, January 26th. — At 10.30 a.m. descried a sail, which 
we came up with at 1.20 pm. She proved to be the Golden Rule, 
from New York for Aspinwall. Captured and burned her, there 
being no certificate on board of the neutrality of the cargo. This 
vessel had on board masts, spars, and a complete set of rigging, 
for the United States brig Bainbridge, lately obliged to cut away 
her masts in a gale at Aspinwall. Nine prisoners. At about 6 
p.m., the prize being well on fire, steamed on our course. 

CASE OF THE GOLDEN RULE. 

No certificate of the neutral ownership of any portion of the 
cargo. The only bills of lading found on board are the follow- 
ing :— 

Marcial and Co. to Gregorio Miro and Co., 2069*28 dollars; in- 
sured against war risk. 

Keeler and Vonhiss to John .Wilson, 724*20 dollars. Con- 
signed to order, aud for account and risk of u whom it may 
concern." 

Woolsey, consigned to order. Amount not stated, and no let- 
ter of advice. 

Berner to Field. Amount not stated, and no letter of advice. 

Herques and Maseras to Juan Melendez, 41*58 dollars. 

F. Heurias to Gillas. Amouut not stated, and no letter. 



. The Golden Rule furnished a supply of papers containing an 
abundance of welcome news. From them the Alabama learned 
of the safe escape of her sister cruiser, the Florida, from Mobile, as 
well as of the foundering of the United States gunboat Monitor in 
a gale, during her passage down the coast. The good news was 
also received of the entire failure of an attack on Vicksburg. 

The time was now pretty much taken up in reinstating the dis- 
cipline which had been somewhat shaken by the brief stay at Port 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 159 

Royal, and in awarding due punishment for the various offences 
there committed. On the whole, however, considering the hard 
service the men had undergone, and the length of the confinement 
they had sustained without a single "spell" on shore, the offences 
could not be considered very numerous. A few of the petty offi- 
cers were disrated, and various minor penalties inflicted, and on 
the 31st of January the court-martial, which had been employed 
on this unpleasant but necessary service, terminated its sittings and 
was dissolved. 

Meanwhile another prize had fallen into the Alabama's hands, 
in the shape of the United States brig Chastelain, of Boston, from 
Martinique and (juadaloupe for Cienfuegos; and the following day, 
after duly committing her prize to the flames, the Alabama ar- 
rived at San Domingo, dropping anchor off the town at 6 p.m. 

In the harbour were two other vessels : one a New York brig, 
under English colours. The anchor had not been long down 
when a visit was received from the Captain of the Port, who 
proved to be an old acquaintance of Captain Semmes, he having 
piloted the brig Porpoise about the island at the time when the 
latter officer was First Lieutenant of that vessel. He seemed much 
pleased to renew the acquaintance, and volunteered to take on 
shore, to t}ie Governor, Captain Semmes' request for permission to 
land his prisoners. 

Soon he returned, bringing with him a commander of the Span- 
ish navy with the required permission. The prisoners were ac- 
cordingly sent on shore, from whence they shortly returned, some- 
what crestfallen, with the intelligence that no one was allowed to 
land after dark. The Captain, however, being anxious to depart, 
application was made to the authorities, who courteously permitted 
the prisoners to be sent for the night to the government vessel, 
undertaking to send them on shore in the morning. 

This matter was settled, the Alabama again stood out, having 
thus displayed for the first time, in San Domingo, the flag of the 
young republic. 

The only excitement of the next few days was an alarm of fire, 
which, on the 2nd of February, occasioned for a short time very 
considerable anxiety. It came from the carelessness of the captain 
of the hold, who, in direct violation of the written rules of the 
ship, took a naked light into the spirit-room to pump off liquor 
by. The moment he commenced operations, the fumes of the 
spirit took fire, placing the ship for a few minutes in imminent 
peril. The danger, however, was brief, for the captain happened 
to be on deck at the time, and at once gave the order to beat to 
quarters ; before it could be obeyed the fire was extinguished, and 



160 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

the ship's company quitie poar. la peur. Not so, however, the 
delinquent captain of the hold, who was at once seut to expiate 
his fault in the durance vile of a suit of double irons. 

The 3rd February brought a small prize in the United States 
schooner Palmetto, from New York for St. John's, Porto Rico, with 
a mixed cargo of provisions. She, too, laid claim to immunity on 
the ground of neutrality of cargo; but inquiry soon led to con- 
demnation, and after taking from her a large quantity of biscuit, 
cheese, &c, the crew were removed on board the Alabama, and 
the schooner burned. 



CASE OF THE PALMETTO. 

The schooner was U.S., per register and flag. The cargo was 
shipped by Herques and Maseras, of New York, to Vincente 
Brothers, in San Juan, Porto Rico. There was no affidavit or cer- 
tificate of neutral property on board, and the cargo would have 
been condemnable on this ground alone. It being in an enemy's 
ship, it is presumed to be enemy's property until the contrary be 
shown by proper evidence under oath. The Master, upon exam- 
ination, testified that he had no knowledge of the ownership of the 
cargo ; and this, though he was the agent and charterer of the 
ship, as well as Master. The correspondence found on board — 
that is to say, a letter from the shippers to the consignee — states 
that the cargo is shipped, two thirds on account of the consignee, 
and one third on account of the shippers — the parties beiug the 
joint owners of the undivided cargo in these proportions. There- 
fore, whatever may be the general business-relations of the parties, 
they are, quoad this shipment, partners ; and the house in the 
enemy's country having shipped the goods, the other partner's 
share is condemnable, notwithstanding his residence in a neutral 
country. See 3rd Phillimore, 605 ; and the Vigilantia, 1 Rob., 
pp. 1-14, 19; the Susa, ib., p. 255. 



Several days now passed without adventure of any kind, the 
monotony of alternate gales and calms being only varied by the 
receipt of a few old newspapers from the schooner Hero, of Yar- 
mouth, N. S., giving news of the angry " resolutions" passed by the 
New York Chamber of Commerce with reference to the Alabama ; 
and also — which was of considerably more importance — the infor- 
mation that the Vanderbilt and Sacramento were both to sail 
towards the eud of January, in pursuit of the Confederate cruiser. 

Sunday, the 15th February, dawned dark and gloomy, the wind 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 161 

blowing nearly a whole gale from the north, and the Alabama 
dashing along, with the wind well abeam, under reefed topsails. 

This boisterous Sabbath, writes Captain Semmes, is the second 
anniversary of my resignation from the United States navy, and of 
course it has called up many reminiscences. I have more and 
more reason, as time rolls on, to be gratified at my prompt deter- 
mination to quit the service of a corrupt and fanatical majority, 
which even then had overridden the constitution, and shown itself 
in so aggressive and unscrupulous a form as to give us just cause 
of alarm. 

But what shall we say of its course since ? If the historian 
perform his duty faithfully, posterity will be amazed at the wick- 
edness and corruption of the Northern and Western peoples, and 
will wonder by what process such a depth of infamy was reached 
in so short a time. 

The secret lies here. The politicians had become political 
stock-jobbers, and the seekers of wealth had become usurers and 
swindlers; and into these two classess may be divided nearly the 
whole Yankee population. Such is "Plymouth Rock" in our day, 
with its Beech ers in the pulpit, and its Lincoln in the chair of 
Washington ! With its Sumners and its Lovejoys in Congress, 
and its Simmonses et id genus omne in the contract market ! 



CHAPTER XXV. 

Not easily baffled — Two prizes — The Olive Jane — The Golden Eagle 
— The* white emign sa,luted — In trepidation — Obstinacy — The 
Washington — The William Edward — Patience Rewarded — Case 
of the John S. Paries. 

More than a week passed without the occurrence of any event 
worthy of record. Saturday, the 21st February, however, brought 
an exciting chase. By 8 a. m. four vessels had been reported in 
sight. The first seen proved too far ahead and to windward, to 
be worth chasing, and sail was then made in the direction of two 
others, which were observed to be exchanging signals with con- 
siderable diligence. Their conversation ended, they parted com- 1 
pany and sailed off in different directions, evidently with the ob- 
ject of distracting the attention of the Alabama which was now 
in full chase 

8 



162 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AttD THE SUMTER. 

But the Alabama was not so easily to be baffled. Devoting 
her attention first to the vessel which appeared by her slower 
rate of sailing to offer the promise of an easier capture, she got 
up steam as she went along, and the black smoke was already 
poured from her funnel and the propeller beginning to revolve as 
she came within hail of the chase. A blank cartridge was fired 
as usual ; but the stranger kept doggedly upon his way, evidently 
determined, if he could not escape himself, at all events to do his 
best to increase the chances of his consort. 

Even this chivalrous determination, however, was of no avail. 
A second gun from the pursuer quickly followed upon the first, 
and this time the command was pointed by the emphatic accom- 
paniment of a round shot which went whizzing through the rig- 
ging of the chase. Finding his enemy in earnest, the ship now 
gave up the game, and hove to with the United States colours 
at her peak. Putting a prize crew on board, the Alabama wore 
round, and started at full speed in the direction of the second 
vessel, which was making the best of her way off, and was by this 
time some fifteen miles distant. The Alabama was now, however, 
under a full head of steam, flying through the water at the rate 
of three to one of the chase, and by the end of a couple of hours, 
she also was brought to, with the Stars and Stripes flying, and 
her maintopsail to the mast. 

A rapid investigation of papers resulted in the decision that 
the claim of neutral ownership of the cargo was totally unsus- 
tained by evidence, and the crew of the Olive Jane* were trans- 
ferred to the Alabama, and the barque set on fire, whilst her cap- 
tor again came round and ran down to meet his other prize. On 
communicating with the prize-master in charge she proved to be 
the United States ship Golden Eagle, from Howland's Island in 
the Pacific Ocean to Cork for orders. 

The following particulars relatiug to these two vessels, are given 
in Captain Semmes' journal : — 

CASE OF THE OLIVE JANE. 

Under United States colours and register — from Bordeaux for 
New York — cargo consigned generally to houses in New York, 
with the exception of five of the shipments which are consigned 
to order ; but there is no claim among the papers of French prop- 
erty, even in these latter shipments, and non constat but that the 
property is American, and that the consignment on the face of the 

* Of Boston, from Bordeaux to New York, with a partial cargo of 
French wines and "knickknackeries." 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 163 

papers was made in this manner to give a semblance of French 
ownership, until the property should reach its destination, when 
the real owner would claim it under a duly-iudorsed bill of lad- 
ing, forwarded to him by steamer. At all events, the presumption 
of law is, that all property found on board an enemy is enemy's 
property, until the contrary be shown by proper evidence ; and 
no evidence has been presented in this case at all. The master, 
though quarter owner of the barque, and who, consequently, 
should be well informed as to her cargo, &c, knows nothing, ex- 
cept that one of the shippers — a Frenchman — told him that forty 
casks of wine, worth, perhaps, twenty dollars per cask, belonged 
to him. Vessel and cargo condemned. 



CASE OF THE GOLDEN EAGLE. 

Ship under United States colours and register. From San 
Francisco, via How land's Island, for Cork, laden with guano by 
the American Guano Company. Cargo consigned to " orders." 
There is no question, therefore, of property. Ship and cargo 
condemned. 



On the morning of the 23rd February four vessels were in 
sight; but on overhauling them they one and all proved to be 
under the protection of neutral flags. One of them, however — a 
Frenchman from Bueuos Ayres to Havre — relieved the Alabama 
of two French prisoners, an artist and his son, captured on board 
one of the late prizes. One of the other vessels — the Prince of 
Wales, from Melbourne to England — dipped her ensign to the 
Yankee colours displayed from the Alabama, on which the latter, 
unwilling to appropriate a compliment intended for another, 
lowered the Stars and Stripes and hoisted her own ensign. 
Hardly had the change been effected when a bustle was observed 
on board the English vessel, and passengers and crew crowded 
on deck to have a look at the renowned Confederate. The 
formal compliment accorded to the flag first displayed was re- 
newed with hearty good-will, and this time accompanied by the 
most enthusiastic demonstrations from all on board, the men 
cheering and the ladies waving their handkerchiefs in honour of 
the gallant little cruiser of which they had heard so much. 

The next day, the Alabama being in the vicinity of the cross- 
ing of the 30th parallel by the San Roque and India-bound 
United States ships, sail was shortened, and a bright look-out 
kept, but until nearly sunset nothing was seen ; and when, ac 



164 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

length, " Sail, ho !" was cried, and the Confederate cruiser on 
nearing the stranger showed the Yankee colours, it was replied to 
by the tricolour of France. Again, at 9 30 p.m., when another 
vessel was descried, there was still no prize, although it requited 
two cartridges, a chase of three-quarters of an hour, and vociferous 
demands in both English and French to compel the vessel to 
heave to. When, at last, the Master obeyed the command, it was 
discovered that the brig was a Portuguese, bound from Pernam- 
buco to Lisbon. The officer despatched to overhaul the chase 
found, on stepping on board, everything in the wildest confusion, 
and everybody so alarmed, that neither skipper, mates, nor sea- 
men seemed to know what they were about. So great, indeed, 
was their trepidation, that upon an explanation being asked of 
their strange conduct, the excuse given was that they were too 
frightened to heave to ! 

The 25th February was a blank, only two sail being seen ; the 
one a Dutchman, the other English. The master of the latter 
coolly asked the Alabama to take to England a discharged British 
seaman, and on the following morning another master of an Eng- 
lish ship made a similar request — both being met with a refusal. 
On the 26th, no less than thirteen sail were sighted by the Ala- 
bama, but not one of them displayed the Yaukee flag. The only 
excitement of the day was an obstinate Hamburgh barque, which 
refused to show colours until the Confederate cruiser was nearly 
upon her, and even then a blank cartridge was required to bring 
her to. 

After the large number of neutrals that the Alabama had over- 
hauled, came a prize. On the morning of the 27th February, the 
United States ship Washington was captured. The vessel was 
the property of the enemy, but as she carried a cargo of guano 
from the Chiucha Islands, on account of the Peruvian govern- 
ment, consigned to their agents at Antwerp, the Washington was 
released on giving a ransom bond for 50,000 dollars. The pris- 
oners on board the Alabama having been transferred to the cap- 
ture, the two vessels parted company ; the United States ship 
going on its course, rejoicing that the neutral cargo she carried 
had saved her from a fiery end. Two days after, another prize 
was taken. On the 1st March, the Bethia Thayer, of Rockland, 
Maine, was overhauled, and like the Washington, having on board 
guano the property of the Peruvian government, was released on 
a bond of 50,000 dollars. 

Shortly after, a suspicious barque, with the English flag at the 
peak, hove in sight. Immediately the Alabama set every stitch 
of canvas, the stranger did the same, and away the two dashed 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 165 

before the fresh south-wester that was blowing. The chase was 
most exciting, and lasted seven hours ; but gradually the Ala- 
bama overhauled the suspicious craft, and at 4.30 p.m. was en- 
abled to signal it. The Confederate hoisted the United States 
flag, and announced herself by an assumed name. The barque 
replied that she was the William Edward, from Bahia, for Liver- 
pool. After some further communication, which convinced the 
Alabama that the barque was English, the cruiser announced her 
real name, aud permitted the William Edward to proceed on her 
course. At nightfall another ship was chased, which, upon being 
brought to, also proved to be English, the Nile, bound from Ak- 
yab to London. The master of this vessel informed the boarding- 
officer that a United States man-of-war, supposed to be the Ino, 
was in the South Atlantic, in eager search of the Alabama! 

At daybreak, on the 2d March, a sail was made out through the 
hazy atmosphere, slowly steering towards the cruiser. Patiently 
the Confederate waited, as the light wind from the south bore the 
stranger towards them ; their patience, too, was rewarded, for at 
6 a.m., a boarding'-officer stepped on board the ship John S. 
Paiks, of Hallowall, Maine. The skipper, his wife, and crew, 
were transferred to the cruiser, together with sundry stores and 
provisions ; and then, after Captain Semmes had carefully ex- 
amined the papers of the capture, the prize was set fire to, making 
number thirty -five on the list of the Alabama's successes. With 
respect to the cargo of the Parks, there was a plea of neutrality 
set up, to which, as the following extracts will show, Captain 
Semmes gave the fullest consideration : — 

CASE OF THE SHIP JOHN S. PARKS. 

Ship under U.S. colours and register. Cargo, white pine lum- 
ber, laden on board at the port of New York. The cargo was 
shipped by Edward F. Davidson, who appears, from the statement 
of the master, to be a large lumber dealer, and is consigned to 
Messrs. Zimmerman, Faris, and Co., at Monte Video, or Buenos 
Ayres. Annexed to the bill of lading is what purports to be an 
affidavit sworn to before "Pierrepont Edwards," who signs himself 
as "vice-consul." Above his name are the words, "by the con- 
sul," from which it appears he professes to act for the consul, and 
not for himself as " vice-consul." * The affiant is Joseph H. Sny- 

* Extract from a letter, captured on the barque Amazonian, from Mr. 
Edward F. Davidson to Messrs. Zimmerman, Faris, and Co., of Monte Vi- 
deo:— 

"You will learn from London of the loss of the ship John S. Parks, and 



166 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

der, who describes himself as of" 128, Pearl Street, New York." 
He states that the cargo was shipped by Edward F. Davidson, "for 
and on account of John Fair and Co., of London, &c." First, as 
to the form of this affidavit. A vice-consul is one who acts in 
place of a consul when the latter is absent from his post; and 
when this is the case, he signs himself as vice-consul, and his acts 
take effect proprio vigore, and not as the acts of the consul — which 
this act purports to do. Further, the Master was unable to verify 
this document, which, to give it validity, he should have been able 
to do — he declaring that he could not say whether it was a forgery 
or not. " Although, as has been said, the ship's papers found on 
board are proper evidence, yet they are so only when properly 
verified ; for papers by themselves prove nothing, and are a mere 
dead letter if they are not supported by the oaths of persons in a 
situation to give them validity." 3rd Phillimore, 394. Further, 
" Valin sur l'Ordonnance" says, " II y a plus, et parceque les pieces 
en forme trouvees abord, peuvent encore avoir ete concertees en 
fraude, il a ete ordonne par arret de conseil du 26 Octobre, 1692, 
que les depositions coutraires des gens de l'equipage pris, prevau- 
droient a ces pieces." The latter authority is express to the point, 
that papers found on board a ship are not to be credited, if contra- 
dicted by the oath of any of the crew, and I take it that an ina- 
bility to verify amouuts to the same thing. For if this had been 
a bond fide transaction, it was the duty of the party interested to 
take the master before the consul to witness the taking of the 
deposition, so that he might verify " the paper," if captured. But 
why should Mr. Snyder be the party to make this affidavit ? He 
was not the shipper, but Davidson, a lumber dealer; and David- 
son, who, if he sold the lumber at all, must have known to whom 
he sold it, was the proper person to testify to the fact. Further : 
the master says that Snyder bought the lumber from Davidson, as 
he was informed by liis (the master's) brother, who was the owner 
of the ship. If so, then Snyder being the owner of the lumber 
(whether on his own or foreign account, it matters not) was the 
real shipper, and not Davidson, and the proper person to consign 
it to the consignees, either in his own name, or in the name of his 
principal, if he were an agent. But the bill of lading, and David- 
collection there of insurance on her cargo :' the freight is insured here, at 
the Great Western Company. They have thirty days, after receipt of the 
captain's protest, to pay the loss in. Captain Cooper has arrived in Port- 
land, and gone to his home at Hallowall ; and the company require a copy 
of the protest made in London, certified hy the Consul, which I have sent 
for. In the meantime, I have requested the captain to come to this, and 
trust not to have to wait receipt of the document from London." 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 167 

son's letter to the consignees, show that Davidson was both the 
shipper and the consignor. The ship was also chartered by David- 
son, and 13,000,000 dollars freight-money paid in advance, for 
which Davidson required the owner of the ship to secure him by a 
policy of insurance against both marine and war risk — the policy 
made payable to him (Davidson) in case of loss. Two questions 
arise upon that policy : 1st — why, if the property were bona fide 
neutral (the cargo itself was also insured in London) the war clause 
should be inserted ? and, 2nd — why Davidson should make the 
policy payable to himself? If he advanced this freight money on 
the credit of the London house, he had no insurable interest in it ; 
and if the lumber really belonged to the Loudon house, aud was 
going to their partners or agents at the port of delivery, why 
should Davidson pay the freight in advance at all? And if Sny- 
der purchased the lumber of Davidson, why should Snyder not 
have made the advance for his principal instead of Davidson ? The 
conclusion would seem to be, that Davidson was shipping this 
lumber on his own account to agents, in whose hands he had no 
funds or credit, and as the lumber might not be sold readily, the 
ship could not be paid her freight unless it were paid in advance ? 
Further: the ship had a contingent destination. She was either 
to go to Monte Video or Buenos Ayres, as the consignees might 
find most advantageous. This looks very much like hunting for a 
market. But further still. Although Davidson prepared a formal 
letter of consignment to Zimmerman, Faris, and Co., to accompany 
the consular certificate, he at £he same time writes another letter, 
in which he says, " The cargo of John S. Parks I shall have certi- 
fied to by the British Consul as the property of British subjects. 
You will find it a very good cargo, and should command the high- 
est prices." How is Davidson interested in the price which this 
cargo will bring, if it belongs, as pretended, to the house in Lon- 
don ? And if Davidson sold to Snyder, and Suyder was the agent 
of the house in London, Davidson should have still less concern 
with it. In that same letter in which a general account of recent 
lumber shipments is given, the following remarks occur : — " Messrs. 
Harbeck and Co. have a new barque, Anne Sherwood, in Portland, 
for which they have picked up in small lots a cargo of lumber 
costing 20,000 dollars. I have tried to make an arrangement for 
it to go to you (on account of John Fair and Co., of London ?) ; 
but they as yet only propose to do so, you taking half-interest at 
twenty-five dollars, and freight at eighteen dollars, payable at 
yours (port?), which is too much. If I can arrange it on any fair 
terras, I will do so for the sake of keeping up your correspondence 
with H. and Co." 



168 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

This letter would seem to show that Zimmerman, Faris, and 
Co. are favourite consignees with Davidson, and that he not only 
consigns his own lumber to them (for it must be remembered that 
he is a lumber dealer) but endeavours to befriend them by getting 
them other consignments. It may be that Davidson in New 
York, John Fair and Co., in London, and Zimmerman, Faris, and 
Co., in Buenos Ayres, are all connected in this lumber business, 
and that the trade is attempted to be covered under the name of 
the London house ; or it may be that Davidson is the sole owner, 
or a joint owner with Zimmerman, Faris, and Co. In either case 
the property is condemnable, being shipped by the house of trade 
in the enemy's country. Ship and cargo condemned. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

Discomforts of life at sea — A stern chase — Seized — The Punjaiib ran- 
somed — Rain-squalls — A luxury — The Morning Star — Neutral 
cargo — The Fairhaven — The Ino on the look-out — The Charles Mill 
— The Nora — Fire-water — Commercial morality — The Louisa 
Hatch — Black Diamonds — Coaling at sea under difficulties — Fer- 
nando de Noronha. 

* 
Captain Cooper, of the John Parks, and his wife and two 
nephews, were fortunate in not being condemned to a long period 
of captivity. The burning remains of his unlucky vessel were 
still within sight, when an English barque ranged up alongside of 
the Alabama, and an arrangement was soon effected with her cap- 
tain to convey the whole party to England. 

A long interval now, with nothiug but the Englishman's excite- 
ment — the weather — to break the weary monotony of an eventless 
voyage. So far, however, as gales of wind could offer a distrac- 
tion, the Alabama had little of which to complain, and the vessel 
rolled and tumbled about in the heavy seas in a manner which 
sorely tried the endurance of, at all events, her unfortunate cap- 
tain. 

The gale still continues, writes Captain Semmes, on the 11th 
March. Wind E.N.E. For four days now we have been rolling 
and tumbling about, with the wind roaring day and night through 
the rigging, and rest more or less disturbed by the motion of the 
ship. Sea-life is becoming more and more distasteful to me. The 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 169 

fact is, I am reaching an age when men long for quiet and repose. 
During the war my services belong to my country, and ease must 
not be thought of; but I trust that the end is not afar off. The 
enemy, from many signs, is on the point of final discomfiture. 
Nay, a just Providence will doubtless punish the wicked fanatics 
who have waged this cruel and unjust war upon us, in a way to 
warn and astonish the nations upon earth. Infidelity and wicked- 
ness in every shape let loose upon themselves, must end in total 
destruction. The Yankee States have yet to go through an ordeal 
they little dreamed of in the beginning of their unholy crusade 
against the Southern people. 

On the 12th, the vessel was within fourteen degrees of the 
equator, but so cool did the weather still continue that all hands 
were still wearing woollen clothing, and sleeping under a couple 
of blankets. The sky continued grey and overcast, with an occa- 
sional slight sprinkle of rain, and a stiff breeze. The barometer 
falling steadily until, on the 14th March, it had reached as low as 
29.96, about the usual standard of the trade winds. 

That night brought, however, a slight relief from the long dull- 
ness. It was just midnight when the startling cry of "Sail, ho! 
close aboard !" was heard from the lookout ; and in less than five 
minutes the Alabama was within hailing distance of a large ship 
standing close on a wind towards the northward and west- 
ward. 

"Ship ahoy! — what ship's that?" rang hoarsely«th rough the 
speaking-trumpet from the deck of the Alabama. But no answer 
came, and the hail was repeated. Still no answer, the strange sail 
keeping steadily on her course, regardless of every thing, her huge 
hull towering up high and dark as she passed almost within har- 
pooning distance of the Alabama, and shot away again into the 
darkness, like a phantom that on being spoken to, had vanished 
away. 

But the Alabama could have brought-to the Flying Dutchman 
himself, if he had attempted to pass by without answering a hail. 
" Hands, wear ship !" was the order before the sound of the second 
summons had well died away. Up went the helm, round came 
the Alabama's head in the direction in which the stranger had 
disappeared ; and with the reefs shaken out of her topsails, away 
she went in chase like a greyhound after a hare. 

By the time sail was made, and headway got on the ship, the 
chase was some three miles in advance, and gliding swiftly aloDg 
with a strong breeze. But though a stern chase is proverbially a 
long chase, the splendid sailing qualities of the Alabama soon made 
themselves felt, and within three hours after her helm was put up, 

8* 



170 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

she was within a few hundred yards of the stranger, who now hove 
to at the first summons from the cruiser's bow-guns. 

She proved to be the United States ship Puujaub, of Boston, 
from Calcutta for London, and having an English cargo on board, 
as appeared from sworn affidavits among the papers, from the na- 
ture of the voyage — from one British port to another — and from 
the cargo of jute and linseed, she was released on a ransom bond 
for 55,000 dollars, the remaining prisoners from the John Parks 
being transferred to her for passage home. 

The 21st March brought a change of weather, with heavy 
squalls of rain. The variety was greatly enjoyed by all on board, 
Captain Semmes recording in his journal his own pleasure at once 
more hearing the roll of the thunder, for the first time for many 
months, and the delight with which both officers and men pad- 
dled about on the deck with their bare feet, enjoying, "like young 
ducks," the first heavy rain they had experienced for a considera- 
ble time. 

On the morning of Monday, March 23rd, a sail hove in sight, 
which, being overhauled about noon, was found to be the United 
States ship Morning Star, from Calcutta to London. This ship 
also had a neutral cargo, duly vouched as such by the proper 
legal certificates ; so she, too, was released on ransom bond. A 
second prize, however, which fell into the Alabama's hands the 
same day, was less fortunate. This was the United States 
schooner Kingfisher, of Fairhaven, Massachusetts, some months 
out on a whaling voyage. It was well for her that she but very 
recently discharged into another vessel her second cargo of oil, 
and could only, at present, boast of some twenty barrels, all of 
which were at once consigned to the flames, together with the 
unlucky vessel. 

The Kingfisher brought a piece of intelligence which afforded 
immense satisfaction to all on board, being of no less a fact than 
the presence of the United States -sloop of war, Ino, at Ascension, 
where the Kingfisher had left her but a fortnight before. This 
was the identical vessel that had assisted in the piratical capture 
of Messrs. Myers and Tunstall, on neutral ground, scarcely four- 
teen months before ; and all hands were rejoicing in the prospect 
of an early brush with her, when the outrage then perpetrated 
might be avenged. Anxious as all were for a fight on any terms, 
there was possibly not a vessel in the United States navy they 
would have more gladly encountered. 

It was a curious circumstance connected with this schooner, 
that her master was, according to his account, one of the only 
three persons in his native place, Fairhaven, who, in the last fatal 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 171 

election of a President for the United States, had voted for the 
Southern candidate, Breckinridge. 

Two more captures were made on the following day— one, the 
ship Charles Hill, of Boston, from Liverpool to Monte Video; the 
other, the ship Nora, also of Boston, from Liverpool for Calcutta. 
In both cases the usual claim was set up to a neutral ownership 
of cargo, and as usual on investigation proved to be altogether 
unsupported by anything like real evidence. 

The following are the cases : — 

CASE OF THE CHARLES HILL. 

Ship under U. S. flag and register, laden with salt (value in 
Liverpool six shillings per ton), under charter party with H. E. 
Falk to proceed from Liverpool to Monte Video or Buenos Ayres. 
No claim of neutral property in the cargo. Ship and cargo con- 
demned. 



CASE OF THE NORA. 

Ship under the U. S. flag; laden with salt, under charter party 
with W. N. de Mattos, of London, to proceed to Calcutta. In the 
bill of lading the cargo is consigned to " order ;" and on the back 
of the bill is this endorsement : — " I hereby certify that the salt 
shipped on board the Nora is the property of W. N. de Mattos, 
of London, and that the said W. N. de Mattos is a British subject, 
and was so at the time of shipment. 

"(Signed) H. E. Falk, 

« Agent for W. N. de Mattos." 

At the bottom of the signature is " R. C. Gardner, Mayor," 
presumed to be intended for the signature of the Mayor of Liver- 
pool. As this statement is not under oath, and as there is no seal 
attached to it, it does not even amount to an ex parte affidavit. 
Vessel and cargo condemned. 



Some valuable supplies were extracted from these two ships, and 
the prisoners — one of them a female — having been transferred to 
the Alabama, the vessels were fired on the evening of the day 
after their capture. As was but too frequently the case in board- 
ing prizes, access was by some means obtained to their strong 
liquor, and that evening saw a good deal of drunkenness on board 
the Alabama. Unfortunately, the delinquents were but too often 



172 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

some of the best men in the ship. They could be trusted with 
anything in the world but rum or whisky ; but against temptation 
of this kind they were not proof, and the duty of boarding offered 
only too easy an opportunity of indulging this true sailor's taste. 
However, if the prizes had their little bit of revenge in thus creat- 
ing a temporary disorder among their captors, they in this case, 
at all events, more than made up for it, by contributing an acces- 
sion of half-a-dozen seamen to the crew, which, notwithstanding 

the discharge of the men sent home in the , was now fast 

growing very strong. 

The following extract from a letter found on board the Charles 
Hill may throw some light on the pretensions of that vessel at all 
events, to the protection of neutrality : — 

Captain F. Percival. 

Dear Sir, — I have read your several letters from Philadelphia. 
As a rebel privateer has burned several American ships, it may be 
well if you can have your bills of lading endorsed as English prop- 
erty, and have your cargo certified to by the English Consul, <fec. 

After crossing the equator during the night of the 29th-30th 
March, the Alabama experienced a succession of calms and wet 
weather ; at one time chasing a vessel in so thick a mist that, 
though not more than a mile or two ahead, she was more than 
once lost sight of for an hour at a time. She was still involved in 
this misty, uncomfortable weather, when, on the night of the 4th 
April, she again fell in with an United States ship, the Louisa 
Hatch, deeply laden with that, to the Alabama, most invaluable 
article — coal. An investigation of her papers gave the following 
result : — 

CASE OF THE LOUISA HATCH. 

Ship, under U.S. colours. Among the papers is a charter 
party, dated London, 1st January, 1863, executed between John 
Pirie and Co., and William Grant, the Master, by which the ship 
was chartered to take coal to Point de Galle, Ceylon, or Singa- 
pore, as ordered, &c. Without any assignment of this contract, 
as far as appears, the ship seems to have been loaded by entirely 
new parties, to wit, by one J. It. Smith, who describes himself as 
the agent of H. Worms, of Cardiff. By the bill of lading, the ship 
is to proceed to the Point de Galle, and there deliver the coal to 
the company of Messageries Imperiales. On the back of the bill 
of lading is the following certificate : — " I certify that the within- 
mentioned cargo is French property, having been shipped by 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 173 

order,for the account of the Messageries Imperiales." This cer- 
tificate is signed by Mr. Smith, but is not sworn to, nor is the 
order, nor any copy of the order to ship this cargo to an account 
of the Messageries Imperiales, found among the papers. As the 
ship was not chartered by any agent of this company, and as the 
coal was not shipped by any such agent, Smith being the agent 
of Worms, and Worms not being described as the agent of the 
company, the presumption is that, if there was any such order at 
all in the case, it was a mere general understanding that the com- 
pany would pay so much per ton for coal delivered for them at 
their depots, the property remaining in the shippers until delivery. 
The presumption, in the absence of proof, is, that the cargo being 
on board an American ship is American ; shipped on speculation 
to the far east, by the owner, or his agent, in Cardiff; and we 
have seen that there is no legal evidence in the case ; the unsworn 
certificate of Mr. Smith not even amounting to an ex parte affi- 
davit. Ship and cargo condemned. Probable value of cargo in 
Cardiff, 2500 dollars. Cost of coal in Brazil, 15 to 17 dollars per 
ton. 



The Alabama now stood away in the direction of Fernando de 
Noronha, with her prize in company, with the intention of there 
taking on board a fresh supply of coal. The run was not a little 
protracted by the light and baffling winds that still prevailed, and 
as though this was not enough, fortune must needs play her a 
trick, by sending her off on a chase of fourteen miles after a sup- 
posed Yankee whaler, which, when at last overhauled, turned out 
to be nothing but a poor little green-painted " Portiguee." 

Rain — rain — rain, the sun sometimes showing himself for an 
hour or two, just a few minutes too early, or a few minutes too 
late, for any purposes of observation, and then again retiring be- 
hind the dense masses of cloud that hid the whole horizon in oue 
dreuching down-pour. And all this while every mile of latitude 
of the last importance, as the Alabama groped her way slowly to 
the southward and eastward in search of the little island at which 
she was to take in her supplies, and which she might at any 
moment run past in the darkuess altogether ! Trying work, in- 
deed, for the patience of men cooped up in their narrow floating 
prison, and longing to be at work again. 

Too trying, at last, to be borne any longer without an effort at 
action ; so a bold attempt was made at coaling while under way 
upon the open sea ! Steam was got up, and the prize taken in 
tow, and then two boats were lowered, and set, to work. But the 



174 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

scheme, bold and ingenious as it was, was soon found to be im- 
practicable. The boats managed to get loaded from the captured 
collier, but they had then to be warped up alongside the Alabama, 
and the lowest speed that could be given her was too great for 
them to be hauled up against it. So each time, as they were 
filled, -it was necessary to stop the eugiue, and thus occasion 
another difficulty. 

We now — says Captain Semmes — began to part our tow lines 
by these stoppages and startiugs, and it took a long time to get 
the line fast again ; so after a sleepless night, during which, as I 
lay in my cot trying to sleep, it seemed as if a dozen stentors on 
deck were rivaling each other in making the night hideous, I sent 
word to get the boats run up again, and to continue our course to 
Fernando de Noronha without interruption. 

At daylight we made the peak of the island a long way off, 
some thirty eight or forty miles, and in the afternoon at 2.30 
came to, with the peak bearing S.W. ^ S. aud the N.E. end of the 
Rat Island N.E. by E. J E., depth of water thirteen and a half 
fathoms. Anchored the prize near us. But for our steam we 
should have been still drifting to the S.W., as the day has been 
nearly calm throughout. Fernando de Noronha, in the wayside of 
the commerce of all the world, is sighted by more ships, and 
visited by fewer, than any other spot of earth. It is a broken, 
picturesque, volcanic rock, in mid ocean, covered with a pleasing 
coat of verdure, including trees of some size, and the top of the 
main island is cultivated in small farms, <fcc. Awfully hot when 
the sun shines, and indeed, when he does not shine. Just after 
dark hauled the prize alongside, and commenced coaling. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

An official "in trouble' 1 '' — On shore again — A breakfast party— On 
horseback — Blowing hard — Taken in the net — Easy captures — The 
Kate Gory — The Lafayette — A polite Governor — The Louisa 
Hatch burned, and Kate Gory burned — Landing prisoners — Tired 
of waiting — A scramble — Out of harbour again. 

April Wth. — Light and variable airs; misty from the southward 
aud eastward, aud oppressive ; ther. 83°. Last night the two 
vessels lay alongside of each other so roughly, and we received so 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 175 

much damage (our forechannels being crashed in, and our topsail 
mainyard being carried away) that we were compelled to haul the 
prize off, and continue coaling by means of our boats. 

The authorities on shore having hoisted no colours, we have not 
set ours to-day. We were visited this morning by a couple of 
gentlemen from the shore, bearing a letter from the Governor in 
reply to an inquiry I had caused the Paymaster to address to him 
on the subject of supplies. Their interpreter very naively informed 
me that he was a German, who had been sentenced to banishment 
here from Rio, and that he had a year and a-half to serve. This 
was said while my servant was drawing the cork of a champagne 
bottle. The forger (for such was his offence) taking his glass of 
wine with the rest! The Governor informed me that I could 
procure supplies of beef, fresh pork, fowls, &c, and that he would 
be glad to exchange these articles with me for flour, wine, sugar, 
coffee, &c. I was glad to find that he raised no question of neu- 
trality, though he had, no doubt, been informed by a boat's crew 
from the shore that got the information on board, of the ship in 
my company being a prize. He kindly invited me to visit the 
shore. During the night (one o'clock) we had a surprise in the 
way of a strange steamer making her appearance, coming round 
the point of Rat Island. I had all hands called to quarters, and 
the battery made ready, rises extinguished, and chains got right 
for slipping. Although she came within a mile of us, with the in- 
tention, as we thought, of coming to anchor, she kept on her 
course to the southward and we piped down, the men, much 
fagged from coaling, not having lost more than half an hour's rest 
by the operation. 

Sunday, April \2th. — The exigencies of war compel me to 
work to-day in coaling ship. Weather clear and very hot during 
morning, clouding about noon and raining for several hours. 

I visited the island this morning in company with the Surgeon, 
and called on the Governor. The surf was too heavy to land, but 
we found a bolsa moored at some distance from the shore, and 
transferring ourselves to this we were very skillfully put through 
the surf by three or four naked fellows, two of them not having 
even a breech-cloth about their loins. Fine, well-made fellows 
they were too. We found horses in waiting, and rode about a 
mile to the village and residence of the Governor— a Major in the 
Brazilian army ; passing an immense sand-drift, which we had 
not expected to find on this volcanic rock. 

We found the Governor at breakfast, and he insisted on our 
seating ourselves, and making a second breakfast with him in com- 
pany with his wife — a sprightly, bright mulatto — and a pretty 



176 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

girl, quite white, of about sixteen, and*the padre. After breakfast 
we were introduced to a number of what appeared to be the gen- 
try of the island, and who had assembled thus early to meet us. 
Having smoked and chatted awhile, we remounted for a ride over 
the island. 

We were not in the saddle more than twenty minutes when one 
of those showers, so sudden in tliis climate, overtook us, and gave 
us a complete drenching; we had other showers during the day, 
but were compensated by the sun hiding himself during the entire 
ride. We passed under the shadow of the gigantic peak, and soon 
reached the summit of the island, which spreads out into a most 
beautiful and productive plain of some two or three hundred acres. 
The soil is a ferruginous clay of the richest description, and cov- 
ered with the choicest vegetation of wild grapes, Indian corn, the 
cotton plant, the castor bean, &c., &c. We stopped a few minutes 
to examine a manioc manufactory. Continuing our ride, we passed 
through a small but dense forest, to a cocoa-nut plantation on the 
south-west part of the island, where we found the water-melon 
growing in its choice soil — sand. Here we took shelter again 
from auother heavy rain, and got some fine grapes. Whilst wait- 
ing for the shower to pass, 1 had quite a talk with the Governor 
on various topics; among others, on the state of the mixed races 
in the Brazils, &c, &c. The island, at the season at which we 
visited it, was a gem of picturesque beauty — exceedingly broken 
and diversified with dells and rocks, aud small streams, <fec, <fec. 
It was the middle of the rainy season. The little mountain paths 
as we returned became small brooks that hummed and purled in 
their rapid course. I took occasion to inform his Excellency that 
my tender was a prize, so that he might be under no apprehen- 
sion. Number of convicts 1000. Whole number of population, 
2000. The Governor expressed himself our very good friend, &c, 
<fec. Got on board at 5 p.m. 

Monday, April lZth. — Another rainy day. Showers very heavy, 
but still we continue our coaling. Wind from northward and 
westward, and though light, there is considerable sea on. The 
bad weather continued all day, and the night having set in with 
threatening appearances, I caused everybody to be brought on 
board from the prize, to guard against the possibility of her beiug 
driven on shore, aud endaugering life. I had the steam got up, 
and the chain ready for slipping, and was fearful that I should be 
obliged to slip; but we held on during the night. Night very 
dark, with heavy rain, and much sea on. 

Tuesday, April l-ith. — Wind this morning from about W.S.W. ; 
weather still louring. Our friends came off from the shore again 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 177 

this morning, bringing the fresh provisions ordered for the crew. 
Every thing is very dear here. Meat forty cents per pound; but 
still my crew has been so long on salt diet that flesh is an anti- 
scorbutic necessity for them. I have arranged to sell forty or 
more tons of coal for a Brazilian schooner there is in the harbour, 
and had a proposition for purchasing the prize, which I offered to 
sell as low as 20,000 dollars ; but this sum seemed to alarm them, 
they saying there was not so much money in Fernando de Noron- 
ha. Continued our coaling. 

Wednesday, April loth. — Weather clear, and light wind from 
the eastward. Finished coaling ship this morning. At about 
11 a.m. a couple of whale-boats from two vessels in the offing 
pulled into the harbour; went on board our prize, and thence to 
the shore. Although the two masters were told that we were the 
Iroquois, they seemed at once to have comprehended the true 
state of the case, and to make haste to put themselves out of 
harm's way. We were an hour and more getting up steam and 
weighing our anchor for the chase; and if in the meantime these 
whaling captains had pulled out to their ships, and run into shore 
so as to get within the league, they might have saved them. We 
gave chase, and came up with both of them on the south side of 
the island, about halt- past 3 p.m., and captured them — both of 
them being without the league. One the hermaphrodite brig 
Kate Cory, of Westport, aud the other the barque Lafayette, of 
New Bedford ; the barque we burned, and the brig we brought 
into the anchorage, arriving after dark, about 7 a.m. We sounded 
in thirteen fathoms on a bank on the south side, on the southern 
extremity of which there is a breaker lying out from two and a 
half to three miles. There is also a reef off Tobacco Point running 
out half a mile. We saw no other dangers. 

With reference to these captures, the following amusing account 
is extracted from the private journal of the officer of the Alabama 
who was prize-master on board the Louisa Hatch ■ — ' 

'At noon, on the 15th of April, two vessels were descried to the 
south, standing off and on, under reduced sail. At 1230 two 
boats were observed pulling towards us, asking my ship's name, 
the port I hailed from, &c. I answered correctly. The person in 
charge of the other boat then inquired if the war -steamer was the 
Alabama. I replied, 'Certainly not, she was the Iroquois U. S. 
steamer.' 'Have you any news of the Alabama?' 'Yes, we had 
heard of her being in the West Indies, at Jamaica or Costa Rica, 
&c.' A conversation ensued, by which I learned that the boats 
belonged to the two vessels in the distance, that they were both 



178 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

whalers put in for supplies, and that seeing: the steamer they were 
rather dubious as to her nationality, and had therefore spoke me, 
to gain the required information. A brisk conversation was then 
kept up; my object in engaging them in it was to enable the 
Alabama to get under way ere the whalers took the alarm, feeliug 
certain that the preparations were being made to go after them. 

*I then invited the masters to come on board my ship, which 
they cheerfully consented to do, and were within a boat's length, 
when a cry of alarm •broke from the steersman in the foremost 
boat. Shouting to his crew to 'Give way, men; give way for 
your lives!' he with a few well-directed, vigorous strokes, turned 
his boat's head round, and made for the shore, the other boat fol- 
lowing, blank astonishment being depicted on the face of each 
member of the crews. To the frantic inquiries of the person in 
charge of the other boat as to the cause of his (the steersman's) 
extraordinary conduct, his only reply was, 'There!' pointing to a 
small Confederate flag of about fifteen inches long and six inches 
broad, which I had inadvertently left flying at the gait; the gaff 
being lowered down, the little flag having been used as a dog- 
vane, in order to tell the direction of the wind, <fcc. No sooner 
did the men perceive it than they redoubled their exertions to gain 
the shore; oue of the masters calling out that they had spoken a 
ship a week ago, from whom they had obtained news of peace. 
No credence, however, cculd be, or was placed in this statement. 

4 Immediately after they left I despatched a boat to the Ala- 
bama informing them of the character of my visitors. At 9.15 
the Alabama was observed to get under way, steaming out of the 
anchorage after the two vessels. 

* The larger island being between the scene of the Alabama's 
operations and the Louisa Hatch, I was not, of course, an eye wit- 
ness of the captures. But at 5.30 I observed a dense column of 
smoke, which, as it grew later, turned into a ruddy glare, leaving 
no doubt in our minds as to the fate of the whalers. At 1 p. m. 
observed the Alabama coming round the northern part of the 
island with a vessel in tow, both anchoring at 7.30. The next 
morning I learnt that the captures were the barque Lafayette, of 
New Bedford, and the brig Kate Cory, of Westport. The barque 
was burnt and the brig kept, it being our intention to send off all 
the prisoners we had on board, consisting of 140, including the 
women stewardesses, in her; but on communicating with the au- 
thorities, it was resolved to laud them on the island, a Brazilian 
schooner engacjinor to convev them to Pernambuco. For this pur- 
pose provisions for twenty-one days were sent ashore, the pris- 
oners, after being paroled, following. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 179 

The remainder of the day was spent in transferring provisions, 
&c, for ship's use. The next evening the prizes, the Louisa 
Hatch and Kate Cory, slipped cables, and stood seaward. When 
about five miles from land both vessels were set fire to ; Mr. Evans, 
the officer in charge of the brig, returning on board long before 
me, the strong westerly current rendering it extremely difficult to 
stem it. 

4 We remained painting and cleaning ship until the 22nd. At 
9.30 a. m. we got under way, steering and cruising towards Bahia, 
at which place we arrived on the 11th of May, having captured 
and burnt four vessels between Fernando and Bahia. 

'The news of our doings off the islands had preceded us, of 
course with additions and manipulations ad lib., the schooner hav- 
ing left Noronha the day previous to our departure. The Gov- 
ernor of Pernambuco had sent three war vessels to the islands to 
enforce the neutrality of the place, which, according to Yankee 
representations, had been infringed. Not content with this, the 
American representatives had succeeded in procuring the recall of 
the Governor, whose only crime was that he had let us anchor off 
the place — a crime of which he was necessarily guiltless, because 
he had no power to prevent our anchoring if we insisted on it. 

4 Whilst at Bahia I was shown a letter from the master of one 
of the whaling barques to an agent, in which he wrote that he 
would spare no money or time to follow to the uttermost ends of 
the earth, and bring to justice, the man who had so cruelly de- 
ceived him. This sentence had reference to my denial of the Ala- 
bama and the substitution of the U. S. steamer Iroquois for that of 
C. S. steamer Alabama. The ingratitude of some people ! !' 

On the 16th April Captain Semmes resumes his diary as fol- 
lows : — Weather clear ; wind light from the southward and east- 
ward. Our banner, last night a lurid flame, is a tall column of 
smoke advertising us for twenty-five or thirty miles round. My 
first intention was to ship all my prisoners, amounting to about one 
hundred and ten, in the prize brig, but the Governor having con- 
sented to my landing them, I am busy to-day getting them on 
shore, with their baggage and provisions, and receiving prisoners 
from the Louisa Hatch. Sun very warm. The Governor paid me 
a visit this morning, and requested that I would write him on the 
subject of the captures yesterday, stating the fact (with which he 
was satisfied, or at least, to which he made no objection) that they 
were captured beyond the league from the land, and requesting 
leave to land the prisoners, in order that our understanding should 
assume an official shape, which I did. 

Friday, April llth. — The weather still continues very warm; 



180 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

wind light from the S.E., and cloudy. Busy receiving and stow- 
ing away provisions, replacing the coal consumed, and getting 
ready for sea generally. The landing of so many prisoners amid 
so small a population has created a very great stir, and the excita- 
ble Brazilians are discussing among themselves and with the Yan- 
kee captains the question of the American war with great vehe- 
mence. Several sail have been reported as usual. The afternoon 
set in rainy, and the rain continued all night. Towards nightfall 
sent the prizes, Louisa Hatch and Kate Cory, a league outside the 
island, and burned them. Received four recruits from the Louisa 
Hatch, and more volunteered, but I am full. 

Saturday, April 18th. — Morning cloudy, with wind light from 
the S.E. Loosed sails to-day. I am anxiously expecting the 
arrival of the Agrippina, my store ship, from England, which was 
ordered to rendezvous here — not so anxiously, however, as if my 
coal-bunkers were empty. But she has a couple of additional 
guns on board, that would make an important addition to my 
battery. 

Sunday, April 19th. — Rain in the morning, with light airs. 
Our steam-tubes leak badly, and I am afraid the leaks will increase 
so as to give us trouble. Every time we get up steam, even a few 
pounds for condensing water, we find that large quantities rf hot 
water flow into the hold ; eight inches escaped in about * elve 
hours yesterday. Unfortunately, too, this tubing is laid so low in 
the bottom of the ship, as to be out of reach for examination or 
repairs without being taken up. The Governor sent me off a fine 
turkey and some fruit, and his lady a bouquet of roses. The roses 
were very sweet, and made me home-sick for a while. 

Monday, April 20th. — A dull, heavy, rainy day — the rain 
coming down at intervals in torrents, as it is w r ont to do in these 
regions. Still laying at our anchors, waiting for the Agrippina. 
She should be out thirty-five days, to-day, from Cardiff. In the 
afternoon the rain ceased, except an occasional light sprinkle, but 
the dull canopy of clouds did not break, and we had a strong 
breeze from the S.E. for four or five hours, indicating the approach 
of the trades to this latitude. 

Tuesday, April 21st. — Morning clear, wind light from S.E. 
The Island after the rain is blooming in freshness and verdure, and 
as my eye roams over its green slopes I long for repose and the 
quiet of peace in my own land : I do not think it can be far off. 
Fresh "trade" in the afternoon. Towards night the Brazilian 
steamer sailed with a load of our prisoners. 

Wednesday, April 22nd. — Cloudy, with squalls for rain. At 
9.30 got under way under steam, and stood to the eastward. Cut 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 181 

away four whale-boats that the islanders might have a scramble 
for them. They soon started in chase! Steamed due east, about 
forty-five miles, let the steam go down, and put the ship under sail. 
No sail seen. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 

A curious prize — The Nye — The Dorcas Prince — An anniversary — 
The Union Jack and the Sea Lark — In the harbour of Bahia — 
Explanations — Unexpected meeting — The Georgia — A little holi- 
day — Dip lomacy — More neutra li ty — Home-sick. 

A curious prize was the next that fell into the clutches of the 
all-devouring Alabama. A whaling barque, the Nye, of New 
Bedford, eleven months out, without having once put into port ! 
Three whole months before the launching of the Alabama, had 
that patient little vessel been ploughing the seas, gathering, as it 
turned out, only additional fuel for her own funeral pyre. A 
weary, voyage to have so sad a termination ! 

Among her crew, transferred as prisoners to her captor, was a 
Lieutenant of Marines from the Quaker State, serving on board 
the whaler in the capacity of steward ! 

Next came the Dorcas Prince, of and from New York, for 
Shanghai. Cargo chiefly coal, probably intended for United 
States ships of war in the East Indies — a supposition that un- 
doubtedly gave additional zest to the bonfire, which — no claim to 
neutrality being found among her papers — in due course followed 
on her capture. 

Saturday, May 2nd. — An anniversary with me — writes Captain 
Semmes — my marriage-day. Alas ! this is the third anniversary 
since I was separated from my family by this Yankee war! And 
the destruction of fifty of their ships has been but a small revenge 
for^this great privation. 

On that day two more were added to the long list, and the 
barque Union Jack, of Boston, and ship Sea Lark, of New York, 
shared the fate of their fifty predecessors. The former of these 
two vessels added three women and two infants to the already far 
too numerous colony of the weaker sex, by which the Alabama 
was now encumbered. 

There was no claim of neutral property among the papers of 
either of these ships, except in the case of one Allen Hay, who 



182 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

was the shipper of five cases of crackers, and ten barrels of butter, 
on board the Union Jack. In this case, a Thomas W. Lielie 
made oath before the British Consul at New York, that the said 
articles were shipped "for and on account of Her Britannic 
Majesty." This certificate was of no force or effect, for its inde- 
finiteness, as decided in other cases. A claim of property must 
point out the owner or owners, and not aver that it belongs to the 
subjects of a nation generally. There must be some one designated 
who has a right to the possession of the property under the bill of 
lading. The certificate was accordingly set aside, aud the ship 
and cargo condemned. 

Besides the women and children, the Union Jack furnished 
also another prisoner of a somewhat unusual character, in the per- 
son of the Rev. Franklin Wright, late editor of a religious paper, 
and newly-appointed consul at Foo Chow. The worthy clergy- 
man's entry, however, upon his new duties was for the time indefi- 
nitely postponed by the confiscation of his appointment, along 
with the other public papers in his charge. So, for a time, Foo 
Chow had to exist without the advantages arising from the pre- 
sence of a functionary from the United States. 

Monday, May Wth. — Showed the United States colours to a 
Spanish brig. In the afternoon ran in and anchored in the har- 
bour of Bahia. A Portuguese steamer, the only vessel of war 
found here. No Yankee man-of-war had been here for some 
months. The health officer came on board, just at nightfall. 
The Agrippina not here, and I begin to fear that some disaster 
has befallen her. 

Tuesday, May I2lk. — This morning the President sent a mes- 
senger to me with a copy of the Diario dc Bahia of the 8th May, 
in which appears a sort of proclamation or request, addressed to 
me by the President of Pernambuco, desiring that I should leave 
Fernando de Noronha in twenty-four hours after the receipt of the 
same. This paper seems to be based on certain false statements 
carried to Pernambuco by the Yankee prisoners whom I had sent 
to this place. It is alleged that I violated the neutrality of 4,he 
island, &c. I replied to the President, that there was no truth in 
this statement ; but that, on the contrary, I had paid respect to 
the neutrality of Brazil. In reply to my communication, the 
President informed me that I should be admitted to the usual hos- 
pitalities of the port ; but the bearer of his despatch took occa- 
sion to say that he hoped I would not stop more thau three or 
four days, as the President was afraid of being compromised in 
some way. The master of an English barque came on board and 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 183 

informed me that he had coal and provisions for the Confederate 
steamer Japan, which was to meet him here on the 6th instant. 

Wednesday, May 13/A. — Early this morning a strange steamer 
was discovered at anchor about half a mile from us ; and at 8 
a.m , when we hoisted our colours, to our great surprise and de- 
light, she too hoisted the Confederate flag. We then exchanged 
the established signals ; and on sending a boat on board of her, 
we ascertained that she was the Georgia, Lieut. Commanding 
Maury. Chapman and Evans, two of my Sumter Lieutenants, 
were on board of her. The Georgia sailed from England about 
the 2nd of April, and armed off Ushant. Our ship has been 
crowded with visitors ever since we came in. 

Thursday, May 14th. — At 12.15 p.m. with a party of officers 
from the Georgia and my own ship, I took a steam-tug and pro- 
ceeded up the harbour to the railroad depot, at the invitation of 
the manager of the road, for an excursion into the country, which 
proved to be very pleasant. We passed along the whole port of 
Bahia, the lower town skirting the water, and the upper town the 
crests of a semicircular height, the intermediate space being filled 
with trees and shrubbery. The houses are mostly white, and 
many of them very picturesque. The terminus of the road is a 
beautiful and spacious iron building, situated in the middle of a 
great square ; and the road itself is a very substantial job. We 
rode out twenty-four miles through a picturesque country, the 
road bordered for most of the way by the bay and lagoons, with 
beautiful little valleys occasionally opening on either hand, with 
their patches of sugar-cane and cotton. On our return we sat 
down to a beautiful lunch, with champagne. Our hosts were at- 
tentive and agreeable, and we returned on board at dusk, after a 
very pleasant day. The English residents here have been very 
attentive to us. Our tug-man, who was a Thames waterman, 
dodged in and out among the launches and vessels in a way that 
only a Thames man can do. The French mail came in to-day, 
and brought us news that the Florida was at Pernambuco. 

Friday, May 15th. — This morning a person in citizen's dress 
came on board and said that the President had requested him to 
ask me to show him my commission. I replied that I could have 
no objection to show my commission, but it must be to an officer 
of my own rank, and that this officer must come on board in his 
uniform for the purpose; that I could not show my commission 
to any person who might come on board in citizen's dress, bring- 
ing me a mere verbal message, and without any credentials of his 
rank, &c. I remarked, however, that it would give me very great 
pleasure to call on the President myself and exhibit it. To this 



184 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

he readily assented ; and having appointed an hour for the inter- 
view, I went on shore, accompanied by my aide, and had a long 
and agreeable chat with his Excellency, who was a man of about 
thirty-five years of age, tall and delicate-looking, with black eyes 
and hair. 

We discussed various points relating to the subject of neutral 
and belligerent rights, &c. ; and I took occasion to repeat the as- 
surances I had previously given him in my letter, that I had paid 
due attention to the neutral rights of Brazil during my visit to 
Fernando de Noronha, &c. I told him I only desired him to ex- 
tend to me and to the Georgia the same hospitality as he would 
extend to a Federal cruiser ; but that I might say to him as an 
individual, that we were entitled to the warm* sympathies of 
Brazil, <fcc. 

I arranged about coaling the Georgia and this ship by means 
of launches, as there were port objections to the ship being hauled 
alongside. He seemed anxious that our stay should beas short 
as possible, lest our delay might compromise his neutrality in 
some way. He said my sailors had been behaving very badly on 
shore, and indeed I knew they had. I told him he would oblige 
me by securing the rioters and putting them in prison. This 
evening we were entertained very handsomely at the residence of 
Mr. Ogilvie, where we met all the English society of the place. 

Saturday, May IQth. — This day the ship (Castor), from which 
the Georgia was coaling, was ordered to be hauled off, and the 
operation suspended, the Yankee Consul having alleged to the 
Government that she had munitions of war on board. 

Sunday, May 17 tk. — In the morning an officer came on board 
and read me a despatch from the President, expressing displeasure 
at my remaining so long in the port, and directing me to proceed 
to sea in twenty-four hours. The same paper was read on board 
the Georgia. I replied that the Government itself had caused 
our delay, by prohibiting us from coaling from the ship from 
which we had purchased our coal ; and that I could go to sea in 
twenty-four hours after this prohibition was removed, &c*. &c. A 
party of English ladies and gentlemen visited the ship this after- 
noon. We were crowded all day, besides, with miscellaneous 
visitors. 

Tuesday, May 19th. — This morning, at the request of the Pres- 
ident, I went on shore to see him, and we had a long and animated 
discussion, in which he stated he had certain proofs, adduced by 
the United States Consul, to the effect that the coal-ship Castor 
had been sent here to meet us, &c. ; and that under these circum- 
stances (the ship being charged, besides, with having munitions 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 185 

of war on board), he felt it his duty to prevent us from coaling 
from her, but that we might have free access to the market, &c. 
The Consul, too, had told him that I had shipped one of the pris- 
oners after landing him : the fact being that, although many of 
them volunteered, I refused to receive any of them, having already 
a full crew on board. In the afternoon addressed a letter to the 
President, insisting upon the right to coal from the Castor. 

Wednesday, May 20th. — We were promised lighters with coal 
from the shore this morning ; but not one has yet come off — half- 
past twelve. Just at nightfall a lighter came alongside, and dur- 
ing the night we filled up. The next day we got under way and 
steamed out of the harbour. 

Sunday, May 24th. — I am quite home-sick this quiet Sunday 
morning. I am now two long, long years away from my family, 
and there are no signs of an abatement of the war ; on the contrary, 
the Yankees seem to become more and more infuriated, and noth- 
ing short of a war of invasion is likely to bring them to terms, un- 
less indeed it be the destruction of their commerce ; and for this, 
I fear, we are as yet too weak. If we can get and hold Kentucky, 
the case may be different. Well, we must sacrifice our natural 
yearnings on the altar of our country, for without a country we 
can have no home. 



CHAPTER XXIX. 

Two more ! — The Gildersliene and Justina — Case of the Jabez Snow 
— The barque Amazonian — Believed of prisoners — A hint — The 
Talisman— Under false colours — The Conrad — A nobler fate — Re- 
christened — The Tuscaloosa commissioned — Short of provisions. 

The 25th May witnessed the capture of the ship Gildersliene 
and the barque Justina. The latter having a neutral cargo, was 
ransomed on a bond for 7000 dollars ; the former condemned and 
burned, after an investigation terminating in the following decis- 
ion : — 

CASE OF THE GILDERSLIENE. 

Ship under the United States colours and register. Charter- 
party with Messrs. Halliday, Fox, and Co., of London, who de- 
scribe themselves as merchants and freighters, to make a voyage 
to Calcutta and back to London or Liverpool. Cargo taken in 

9 



186 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

at Sunderland, and consisting of coal, said to be shipped for the 
"service of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Com- 
pany," but not even averred to be on "their account and risk." 
No certificate or other evidence of property ; ship and cargo con- 
demned. Master knows nothing of property except what appears 
by the papers. 



Friday, May 29th. — We had another chase last night from 
about 2 a.m., but with better success than the two previous 
nights, since at 7.30 a.m. we came up with and captured the ship 
Jabez Snow, of Rockport, Maine. Just at daylight, being within 
about four miles of her, v*e hoisted our own colours, and fired a 
gun. She did not show any colours in return, and stood a second 
gun before heaving to ; she finally showed her colours. Got on 
board from the prize a quantity of provisions and cordage ; tran- 
shipped the crew, and about sunset set her on fire. Found a let- 
ter on board, the writer of which referred to American ships be- 
ing under a cloud " owing to dangers from pirates, more politely 
"styled privateers, which our kind friends in England are so will- 
" ing should slip out of their ports to prey on our commerce." 
This letter was dated Boston, November 25th, 1862. 

CASE OF THE JABEZ SNOW. 

Ship under United States colours, cargo coals, from Cardiff for 
Monte Video. On the face of the bill of lading is the following : 
"We certify that the cargo of coals per Jabez Snow, for which 
this is the bill of lading, is the bond fide property of Messrs. Wil- 
son, Holt, Lane, & Co., and that the same are British subjects and 
merchants ; and also that the coals are for their own use. 

"Jno. Powell & Sons." 

As this certificate was not sworn to, it added no force to the 
bill of lading, as every bill of lading is an unsworn certificate of 
the facts it recites. There being no legal proof among the 
papers to contradict the presumption that all property found under 
the enemy's flag is enemy's property, and as the Master, who was 
the charterer and agent of the ship, and whose duty it was to 
know about all the transactions in which he was engaged, swore 
that he had no personal knowledge of the owner of the cargo, ex- 
cept such as he derived from the ship's papers, the cargo, as well 
as the ship, is condemned as prize of war. The following signif- 
icant extract from a letter of the Master to his owners, dated 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 187 

Penrith Roads, April 19th, 1863, was found on board, though not 
produced by the Master : — 

"I have my bills of lading certified by the Mayor, that the 
cargo is bond fide English property. Whether this will be of any 
service to me in the event of my being overhauled by a Southern 
pirate, remaius to be proved." 

The certificate above recited seems, therefore, to have been pro- 
cured by the Master to protect his ship from capture, and not to 
have been a spontaneous act of the pretended neutral owners to 
protect the cargo. The cargo and advance freight were insured 
against war-risk, the ship paying the premium. No effort was 
made by Wilson, Holt, Lane, & Co., to protect the cargo, and they 
were the proper parties to make the oath. The agent who shipped 
the coal for this firm, and who wrote' the above-quoted certificate, 
could only know, of course, that he had shipped them by order of 
his principal. Why, then, did Wilson, Holt, Lane, & Co., decline 
to make the necessary oath to protect the cargo ? They should 
have taken the necessary steps to protect either themselves or the 
insurers, but they did no such thing. It would seem, probably, 
that they were the agents of some American house, and that they 
could not, in conscience, take the oath required by law. 



The next prize was the Amazonian, of Boston, from New York 
to Monte Video, captured, after a long chase, on the 2d of June, 
but not until two blank shots had failed to bring her to, and the 
stronger hint of a round from the rifled gun had convinced her of 
the impossibility of escape. 

CASE OF THE BARQUE AMAZONIAN. 

Ship under United States colours; has an assorted cargo on 
board, and is bound from New York to Monte Video. There are 
two claims of neutral property — one for twenty cases of varnish 
and fifty casks of oil, claimed as shipped on u account of Messrs. 
Galli & Co., French subjects." This claim is sworn to by a Mr. 
Craig, before a notary. It does not aver that the property is in 
Messrs. Galli & Co., but simply that it was shipped "on their ac- 
count." There is.no outside evidence of the truth of this trans- 
action, as the master knows nothing about it. 



Right glad was the Alabama to fall in, on the day after this 
last capture, with an English brigantine, the master of which 



188 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

proved willing, in consideration of a gift from Captain Semmes of 
one of his noble collection of captured chronometers, to relieve 
him of the crowd of prisoners with which he was encumbered. 
To the number of forty-one they were forthwith transferred, along 
with a stock of provisions sufficient for a fortnight's consumption ; 
and the Alabama breathed freely again, relieved of her disagreea- 
ble charge. 

It may not be an uninstructive, and it is most assuredly an 
amusing comment, upon the claims of neutrality so loudly insisted 
upon, to quote the following extract from a New York letter, 
captured on board one of the recent prizes. It is dated April 7th, 
and addressed to a correspondent in Buenos Ay res : — 

" When you ship in American vessels, it would be as well to 
have the British Consul's certificate of English property attached 
to the bill of lading and invoices; as in the event of falling in 
with the numerous privateers, it would save both cargo and vessel, 
in all probability. An American ship, recently fallen in with, was 
released by the Alabama on account of a British Consul's certifi- 
cate showing the greater part of the cargo to be English prop- 
erty. If you ship in a neutral vessel, we save five per cent, war 
insurances." 

Another prize. The Talisman, a fine ship of 1100 tons, under 
United States colours and register, with no claim of neutral prop- 
erty in cargo ; and before the glare of her funeral pyre had faded 
from the horizon, another hove in sight, so evidently American, 
that notwithstanding the English ensign flying at her peak, she 
was at once brought to and boarded. And American she proved 
to be in her origin; but her owners had been wise, and, so far as 
her papers went, she had been regularly transferred to the pro- 
tection of the British flag — humiliating, perhaps, to the proud 
" Yankee nation," but effective as a precaution against capture ; 
though, had the Confederate cruiser been able to send her into 
port for adjudication, the transfer might very possibly, when the 
evidence came to be sifted, have proved but a " bogus transaction" 
after all. 

So the "Englishman" had to be released, consenting, however, 
to relieve the Alabama of a prisoner and his wife, recently cap- 
tured on board the Talisman. A week passed away, and then 
came another instance of a similar transfer under the strong pres- 
sure of fear, the whilom Yankee barque Joseph Hall, of Portland, 
Maine, now seeking a humiliating safety as the "British" Azzopadi, 
of Port Lewis, Isle of France ! 

Alas! for the Stars and Stripes, the Azzopadi was not hull 
down on the horizon ere the once-renowned Yankee clipper 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 189 

Challenger lay humbly, with her maintopsail to the mast, in the 
very place in which her countryman had just been performing a 
similar penance, claiming, as the British-owned Queen of Beauty, 
a similar immunity. 

At last, however, as the impatient crew of the Alabama were 
beginning to think that their enemy's flag had finally vanished 
from the face of the ocean, an adventurous barque hove in sight, 
with the old familiar bunting at her peak. She proved to be the 
Conrad, of Philadelphia, from Buenos Ayres for New York, partly 
laden with wool, the ownership of which was, as usual, claimed as 
neutral. On investigation, the claim proved an evident fabrication, 
the facts of the case being as follows : — 

CASE OF THE CONRAD. 

Ship under American colours and register. A Mr. Thomas 
Armstrong, who describes himself as a British subject doing busi- 
ness at Buenos Ayres, makes oath before the British Consul that 
a part of this wool belongs to him and a part to Don Frederico 
Elortando, a subject of the Argentine Republic. This may or may 
not be true, but the master is unable to verify the document, he 
not having been present when it was prepared, and not knowing 
any thing about it. There is, besides, so strong a current of Amer- 
ican trade with Buenos Ayres, that the presumptiou is, from the 
very fact that this wool was going to New York in an American 
barque, under the imminency of capture, which our presence in 
these seas — well known at Buenos Ayres when the barque sailed — 
must have shown, that the property is American, and that the cer- 
tificate is an attempt to cover it; Mr. Armstrong probably being 
a brother or a partner in the transaction with some American 
house. Ship and cargo condemned. 

FURTHER EXAMINATION OF CASE OF CONRAD. 

From an examination of the correspondence in this case, brought 
on board after the ship's papers had been examined, it appeared 
that Mr. Armstrong, the party shipping a part of the cargo, swears 
before his consul that he and one Don Frederico Elortando, are the 
owners of the property, and swears before the United States Consul 
that he is the sole owner of the property. Both of these oaths 
cannot be true. It further appears that, whilst the property in the 
bill of lading is consigned to Simon de Visser, Esq., in the letters 
of Messrs. Kirkland and Von Sachs it is spoken of as consigned to 
them. The letters make no mention of any joint-ownership with 
Armstrong, but treat the consignment as his sole property. 



190 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

But though, like so many of her countrymen, condemned, the 
Conrad was not to die. A nobler fate was in store for her — no 
less a destiny than that of carrying the proud young flag to which 
she had succumbed, and taking the sea, under a new name, as the 
consort of her captor. Accordingly, Acting-Lieutenant Low was 
appointed to the command, assisted by Acting-Master Sinclair and 
two master's mates. The two rifled pounders captured in the 
Talisman were mounted on board, a due complement of rifle?, re- 
volvers, ammunition, <fec, supplied, and then the transformed 
barque fired her first gun, ran up the Confederate ensign to her 
peak, and amid a burst of cheering from her own crew and that of 
her consort, made a fresh start in life as the Confederate States 
sloop-of-war Tuscaloosa. 

The Alabama was now bound for the Cape of Good Hope, where 
her faithful tender, the Agrippina, was again to meet her. On the 
27th of June, however, when in lat. 26^01 S., long. 28-29 W., it 
was discovered that a great portion of the supposed month's sup- 
ply of bread had been destroyed by weevils, and that there was 
not enough left for the run. A visit to some port nearer at hand 
thus became inevitable, and the ship's course was accordingly 
shaped for Rio Janeiro. 



CHAPTER XXX. 

An insult to the Yankee flag — Fine weather — The Anna F. Schmidt 
— "What ship's that V — The Express — A supply of oread — Sal- 
danha Bay— -^Visitors from the country — A funeral — The Tusca- 
loosa's prize — The capture off Cape Town — The Sea Bride won — 
Ship crowded — Sympathy. 

Sunday, June 28th. — At 4.30 this evening brought-to a heavy 
ship with a blank cartridge ; or rather she seemed to come-to of 
her own accord, as she was evidently outsailing us, and was, when 
we fired, at very long range. Soon after heaving-to she burned a 
blue light, and whilst our boat, with a light in it, was pulling 
towards her, she burned another. She afterwards said she would 
not have hove-to but that she thought we might be in distress. 
The boarding officer reported us as the United States ship Daco- 
tah, and demanded to see the ship's papers, which were refused, 
the Master stating that we had no right to see his papers. The 
boarding officer having been informed of her name (the Vernon), 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 191 

and that she was from Melbourne, for London, and being satisfied, 
from observation, that she was really an English ship, she being 
one of the well-known frigate-built Melbourne packets, returned on 
board, and the ship filled away ; and she was already at consider- 
able distance from us when I received the boarding officer's report. 
Under all these circumstances, I did not chase him afresh to en- 
force my belligerent right of search. Cui bono, the vessel being 
really English ? Although, indeed, the resistance to search by a 
neutral is good cause of capture, I could only capture to destroy ; 
and I would not burn an English ship (being satisfied of her 
nationality) if the Master persisted to the law in not showing his 
papers. Nor did I feel that the Confederate States flag had any 
insult to revenge, as the insult, if any, was intended for the Yankee 
flag. Most probably, however, the ship being a packet-ship, and 
a mail-packet, the Master erred from ignorance. 

Lat. 26-35, long. 32*59'30, current S.E. thirty miles; ship roll- 
ing and tumbling about, to my great discomfort. The fact is, I 
am getting too old to relish the rough usage of the sea. Youth 
sometimes loves to be rocked by the gale, but when we have 
passed the middle stage of live, we love quiet and repose. 

Tuesday, June 30 th. — The bad weather of the past week seems 
at length to have blown itself out ; and this morning we have the 
genial sunshine again, and a clear, bracing atmosphere. With a 
solitary exception, the Cape pigeons, true to their natures, have 
departed. There is still some roughness of the sea left, however, 
and the ship is rolling and creaking her bulk-heads, as usual. 
Wind moderate from about East. 

Another prize on the 2nd of July, the Anna, F. Schmidt, of 
Maine, from Boston for San Francisco ; and another cautious Yan- 
kee transformed into an Englishman ; and then came a large ship 
flying before the wind, with all sail set to her royals, and answer- 
ing the Alabama's challenge with a gun from her own bow port. 

A man-of-war this, from her fashion of replying, even had the 
fact not been sufficiently apparent from the cut of her heavy yards 
and lofty spars. An enemy, perhaps ! And wild with the hope 
of a fight, though it be with an enemy not much less than double 
her size, away flies the Alabama, at top speed of sail and steam, in 
chase. The sea was smooth, though with a strong breeze ; and ere 
long the saucy little cruiser ranged up alongside of the fine frigate, 
with ten black muzzles grinning through his ports on either side. 

u This is the Confederate States ship Alabama !" rang out from 
the quarter-deck, as the two ships flew through the water, side by 
side :— " What ship's that ?" 

But there was to be no fight that day. The chase contented 



192 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

-herself with the laconic reply, " Her Britannic Majesty's ship Dio- 
mede ;" and went tearing along upon her course under the tremen- 
dous press of canvas, beneath which her spars were bending like 
a whip, and was soon out of sight, evidently bound on some errand 
that would not brook delay. 

Some small compensation for this disappointment was found 
two days afterwards in the capture of the fine ship Express, of 
Boston, from Callao for Antwerp, loaded with guano, the particu- 
lars of which are recorded as follows : — 

CASE OF THE SHIP EXPRESS. 

Ship under United States colours and register ; cargo guano, 
shipped by Senan, Valdeavellano and Co., at Callao, and consigned 
to J. Sescau and Co., at Antwerp. On the back of this bill of lad- 
ing is the following endorsement : " Nous soussignes charge 
d'affaires et consul general de France a Lima, certifions que la 
chargement de mille soixante douze de register de Huano specifie 
au present connaissement, est propriete neutre." 

Fait a Lima, le 27 Janvier, 1863. 
(Signed and impressed with the Consular seal.) 

This certificate fails to be of any value as proof, for two reasons : 
first, it is not sworn to ; and secondly, it simply avers the property 
to be neutral (thje greater part of it, for it does not touch the 
guano in sacks), instead of pointing out the owner or owners. A 
Consul may authenticate evidence by his seal, but when he de- 
parts from the usual functions of a Consul, and becomes a witness, 
he must give his testimony under oath, like other witnesses. This 
certificate, therefore, does not even amount to an ex parte affidavit. 
If the property had been in the shipper's or consignee's name, it 
would have been quite as easy to say so as to put the certificate in 
its present shape. Why, then, was the simple declaration that the 
property was neutral made use of? — the law with which every 
Consul, and more especially a charge d'affaires, is supposed to be 
acquainted with, declaring them to be insufficient ? The conclu- 
sion from these two facts — viz., that there was no oath taken, and 
that there was no owner named — seemed to be that the Consul 
gave a sort of matter-of-course certificate, upon the application of 
some one. who declared the property to be neutral, perhaps with a 
knowledge to the fact, or contrary to the fact, neither party tak- 
ing any oath. Now, the presumption of law being, that goods 
found in an enemy's ship belong to the enemy, unless a distinct 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 193 

neutral character be given to them, by pointing out the real owner, 
by proper documentary proof, as neither the bill of lading nor the 
certificate, which is a mere statement of a fact, like the bill of lad- 
ing, not under oath, nor the Master's testimony, who knows noth- 
ing (see his deposition) except as he has been told by the shipper, 
amounts to proper documentary proof, the ship and cargo are 
both condemned. It must be admitted that this is a case in which, 
perhaps, a prize court would grant "further proof;" but as I can- 
not do this, and as a distinct neutral character is not impressed 
upon the property by former evidence, I must net under the pre- 
sumption of law. Sect. 3rd, Phillimore, 596. The charter-party 
in this case describes the charterers, J. Sescau and Co., of Ant- 
werp, as agents of the supreme Peruvian Government. But if so, 
why was it not certificated by the government, as was done in the 
case of the Washington, captured and released on bond by this 
ship ? " And then the master swears that the shippers told him that 
the cargo belonged to them ; and if the Peruvian Government 
must resort to a French official for a certificate, why not, then, on 
oath made before him ? and why did he not state the fact that it 
so belonged, which would have protected it? 



The Alabama was now again heading for the Cape, the Anna 
Schmidt having yielded a supply of bread sufficient, with strict 
economy, to last out the passage. There she arrived on the 29th 
July, anchoring in Saldanha Bay, at about 1.45 p.m. 

Thursday, July 30th. — Last night the sky and atmosphere 
were singularly brilliant. Landed this morning at eight, to get 
sight for my chronometers, this being the first time that I ever set 
foot on the Continent of Africa. Saldanha is a gloomy, desert- 
looking place, the shore comprised of sand and rock, without trees, 
but with green patches here and there. There are three or four 
farm-houses in sight, scattered over the hills. The farmers here 
are mostly graziers. The cattle are fine and good ; a great num- 
ber of goats graze on the hills, and sheep-raising is extensive, the 
mutton being particularly fine. Small deer are abundant. We 
had a venison steak for breakfast. The little islands in the bay 
abound in rabbits, and there is good pheasant-shooting in the 
valleys. Already a party of officers has gone out to stretch their 
limbs, and enjoy the luxury of shooting. 

July dlst. — Took a stroll ou shore, and walked round some fine 
oat-fields. The soil resembles our hummock land in Florida, and 
produces finely. Engaged caulking, painting, &c. An abundance 

9* 



194: CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

of wild-flowers in bloom. Huge blocks of granite lie about the 
sand, and from the tops of projections, &c. 

Saturday, Aug. 1st. — I returned on board, after a stroll on shore, 
at 2 p.m. During my walk I met some farmers in a four-horse 
waggon coming to see the ship. They brought me a wild peacock 
— not quite so large as our wild turkey. It was without the gor- 
geous plumage of the domestic bird. The schooner Atlas came in 
this afternoon, with letters for me from some merchants at Cape 
Town, offering their services to supply me with coal, &c, and 
expressing their good-will, <fcc, «feo. I took occasion by this ves- 
sel, which returned immediately, to write to the Governor, Sir 
Philip E. Wodehouse, informing him of my presence here. 

Sunday, Aug. 2nd. — The inhabitants say that this winter has 
been remarkable for its general good weather, and for the few gales 
they have had. Crowds of country people, from far and near, 
came on board to look at the ship to-day. 

Monday, Aug. Srd. — Another crowd of visitors to-day, who 
came in their country waggons and on horseback. They all speak 
Dutch, and it is rate to find one among them who speaks English. 
Although it is nearly half a century since England took final pos- 
session of the colony, the English language has made but little 
progress, the children being taught by a Dutch schoolmaster, and 
the papers being, many of them, printed in Dutch. There was an 
intelligent young boer (about twenty-three) among them, who had 
never been on board a ship before. He was quite excited by the 
novelty of everything he saw. Some of the female visitors were 
plump, ruddy, Dutch girls, whose large rough hands, and awkward 
bows and curtsies, showed them to be honest lasses from the neigh- 
boring farms, accustomed to milking the cows and churning the 
butter. I found the geranium growing wild in my rambles to-day. 
Just as we were going to sun-down quarters, a boat came along- 
side with the body of Third Assistant-engineer Cummings, who 
accidentally shot himself with his gun. 

Tuesday, Aug. 4th. — In the afternoon, at three, the funeral pro- 
cession started from shore with the body of the deceased engineer. 
He was taken to a private cemetery about a mile and a half dis- 
tant, and interred with the honours due to his grade, the First 
Lieutenant reading the funeral service. This is the first burial we 
have had from the ship. 

Wednesday, Aug. 5th. — At 6 a.m. got up the anchor, and get- 
ting under way, steamed out of the bay and shaped our course for 
Cape Town. At 9.30 descried a sail a point on the starboard 
bow, and at 10.30 came up with and sent a boat on board of the 
Confederate barque Tuscaloosa, and brought Lieutenant Lowe on 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 195 

board. He reported having captured, on the 31st July the Amer- 
ican ship Santee, from the eastward, laden with rice, certificated 
as British property, and bound for Falmouth. He released her on 
random for 150,000 dollars. I directed Lieutenant Lowe to pro- 
ceed to Simons Bay for supplies. Steamed in for the town. At 
12.30 made a barque, two points on starboard bow; gave chase, 
and at about 2 p.m. came up with and hove the chase, she having 
up United States colours. This was a close pursuit, as the barque 
was not more than five or six miles from the shore when we came 
up with her. The Master might have saved himself if he had 
stood directly in for the land ; but we ran down upon him under 
English colours, and he had no suspicion of our character until it 
was too late. The United States consul at once protested against 
our violation of British waters ( ! ). The Governor telegraphed to 
the Admiral (Walker), at Simon's Bay, to send a man-of-war 
round; and about 10 p.m. her Majesty's steam-ship Valorous, 
Captain Forsyth, came in and anchored. Some correspondence 
has passed between the Governor and myself on the subject of the 
capture, and I believe he is satisfied as to distance, &c. Put a 
prize crew on board the prize (Sea Bride), and directed her to 
stand off and on until further orders. The moment our anchor 
was dropped we were crowded with visitors. 

Thursday, Aug. 6th. — Notwithstanding the bad weather, the 
ship has been crowded with visitors all the morning, and my cabin 
has been constantly filled with people pressing to shake hands 
with me, and to express sympathy for my cause. During the 
night we had some thunder and lightning, first from the S.E., and 
then from the N.W. ; and the wind springing up, very gently at 
first, freshened to a gale by morning, with showers of rain and hail. 
Communicated with the prize, and directed the Prizemaster, in 
case he should be blown off by a gale, to rendezvous at Saldanha 
Bay by the fifteenth of the month. Captain Forsyth, of the Val- 
orous, came on board. Returned his visit. 

Friday, Aug. 1th. — I should have been under way for Simons 
Bay this morning but for the gale. The wind is blowing very 
fresh from northward and westward, with dense clouds climbing 
up and over the Table, Lion's head, &c. — presenting a very fine 
spectacle, with the rough waters, the ships with struck upper 
yards, and the town half enveloped with flying mists, &c. The 
bold watermen in all the gale are cruising about the bay under 
reefed sails, some of them with anchors and cables, ready to assist 
any ships that may require it. Last night, in the first watch, a 
sail was reported to be on the shore near the lighthouse and firing 
signal guns. Very soon we saw two or three boats put out to her 



196 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

assistance. In the morning we heard tnat it was a Brazilian brig, 
and that the crew was saved. The brig is fast breaking up in the 
gale. 



CHAPTER XXXI. 

Wrecked! — A narrow escape — Respect for neutral waters — The 
Martha Wenzell — At the Cape — Dense fogs — Heavy weather — 
'•'•Are you a vessel of war?' 1 ' 1 — Firmness and obstinacy — Simon's 
Town — Misrepresentations — A little rest — Land-sharks — A night 
scene — To the Indian Ocean — The barque Amanda. 

Saturday, August 8th, 1863. — The gale broke last night, but 
there is still some breeze blowing, and the sea is quite rough. 
Last night a Bremen brig was wrecked off Point Monille. We 
heard her firing guns, and I feared at first it was our prize ; and 
yet I could not conceive how my Prizemaster, who w T as acquainted 
with the soundings, could have made such a mistake. The weather 
has checked the throng of visitors, and yet a few get off to us, 
asking for autographs, and looking curiously at the ship. We are 
finishing our repairs, and getting supplies on board. Our prize 
has not made her appearance to-day. She will rendezvous at 
Saldanha Bay on the 15th inst. 

Sunday, August 9th, 1863. — Weather has again become fine. 
At 6 a.m. precisely, we moved out of the bay, aud steamed along 
the coast towards the Cape. We gave chase to two sail off the 
mouth of False Bay, and overhauling them, one proved to be 
an English, aud the other an American barque. The latter 
we boarded ; but when I came to get bearings and plot my posi- 
tion, it unfortunately turned out that I was within a mile, or a 
mile and a quarter, of a line drawu from the Cape Lighthouse to 
the opposite headland of the bay, and therefore within the pre- 
scribed limit of jurisdiction. The master of the barque, in the 
meantime,- having come on board, I informed him of those facts, 
and told him to return to, and take possession of his ship, as I 
had no authority to exercise any control over him ; which he did, 
and in a few minutes more, we were under steam standing up the 
bay. What a scene for the grim old Cape to look down upon. 
The vessel boarded was the Martha Wenzell, of Boston, from 
Akyab for Falmouth. At 2 p.m. anchored in Simon's Bay, and 
was boarded by a Lieutenant from the flag-ship of Admiral 
Walker. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 197 

Monday, August 10th. — Weather fine. I called on Admiral 
Walker at his residence, and was presented by him to his family, 
and spent an agreeable half hour with them, giving them a brief 
outline of our quarrel and war. Dined on board the Chinese 
gun-boat Kwang-Tung, Commander Young. This is one of Laird's 
side-wheel steamers, built for Captain Sherrard Osborne's fleet. 
Capt. Bickford, of the Narcissus, and Lieut. Wood, flag Lieutenant, 
dined with us. 

Tuesday, August Wth. — Weather fine. Visited the flagship 
of Rear- Admiral Sir Baldwin W. Walker and the Kwang-Tung. 
Employed caulking and refitting ship. Many visitors on board. 

Wednesday, August 12th. — Wind fresh from the southward 
and eastward. Photographers and visitors on board. The Kwang- 
Tung made a trial trip of her engines, after having repaired 
them, with the Admiral's family on board. Wind freshened to a 
gale towards night. 

Thursday, August 13th. — Weather cloudy ; blowing a moderate 
gale from the S.E. The Tuscaloosa is ready for sea, but is de- 
tained by the weather. Dined with Rear-Admiral Walker ; Gov- 
ernor Sir Philip Wodehouse and lady were of the party. My 
sailors are playing the devil as usual. They manage to get liquor 
on board the ship, and then become insubordinate and unruly. 
We have to force some of them into irons. The man Weir, 
whom I made a Quartermaster, has run off; also two of the 
Stewards, and two dingy boys ; the latter were apprehended and 
brought on board. 

Friday, August 14th. — We have a dense fog to-day and calm. 
The Tuscaloosa, which went out at daylight, anchored some four 
or five miles outside the harbour. The mail steamer from Eng- 
land arrived at Cape Town to-day, bringing us news of Lee's in- 
vasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania. Finished our repairs this 
evening. 

Saturday, August 15th. — We were ready to get under way at 
daylight this morning, but were delayed by the dense fog until 
eleven o'clock, when we moved out of the harbour. As we 
neared the Cape another fog bank rolled over and enveloped us 
for a couple of hours. At 2.30, boarded an English barque. At 
3, let the steam go down, and raised the propeller. Weather 
threatening. Barometer 29-80. Took single reefs in the topsails. 
At 1 1 p.m. a steamer passed close to leeward of us. 

Light winds and thick weather now for rather more than a 
week, varied by a stiff northwester on the 22nd August, lasting 
over the greater part of two days. 

Tuesday, August 25th. — Dense, cloudy morning. Got a 



198 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

glimpse of the sun and latitude at twelve o'clock. Our fresh- 
water condenser is abcut giving out, the last supply of water being 
so salt as to be scarcely drinkable. This will be a serious disaster 
for us if we cannot remedy it at Cape Town, for we have no tank 
room for more than eight days' supply, and no place to store 
casks except on deck, where they would interfere with the guns. 
And so I have borne up to run for Augra Pequena, where I ex- 
pect to pick up my prize-crew that I may return to Simon's Bay 
to see what can be done, without further delay. I am quite 
knocked up with cold and fever, but sick as I may be, I can never 
lie by and be quiet, the demands of duty being inexorable and 
incessant. 

Thursday, August 27th. — Morning fine; made all sail at early 
daylight and stood in for the land, having every promise of get- 
ting latitude at meridian for position, and running in to an anchor 
early in the afternoon. But an ominous fog-bank, that we had 
noticed hanging over the land for a short time before, suddenly 
enveloped us at eight, and shut us in so completely as to render 
it difficult to see a hundred yards in any direction ; the wind the 
while blowing fresh from the south ; weather cool and uncomfort- 
able, and the rigging dripping rain. Hove to, and awaited anx- 
iously the disappearance of the fog ; but hour after hour passed, 
and still no change — six, seven bells struck, and the fog appeared 
to grow more dense, and the wind to increase ; wore ship, and 
put her head off shore ; went below, and turned in, in supreme 
disgust. At 1.30 aroused by the report that there was a topsail 
schooner close aboard. She ran down for us, when we backed 
main topsail, and sent a boat and brought the Master on .board. 
Being like ourselves bound for Angra, he consented to pilot us in. 
Filled away, and made sail. We were to-day, at noon, by com- 
putation, W.S.W. from Pedestal Point (Angra) ; distance about 
ten miles. The fog continued most relentlessly untif 4 p.m., when 
it disappeared, and we wore ship for the land, and were probably 
on the point of making it just at sunset, when the fog came on 
again, and enveloped everything in impenetrable darkness. AVore 
ship seaward, and stood off and on during the night : the weather 
blustering. 

Friday, August 28th. — Morning cloudy, wind blowing half a 
gale. At 8.50 took a single reef in the topsail — the schooner in 
sight to leeward. At 9.30 made the land, and soon came in full 
view of it. My would-be pilot could- not recognise it, until the 
schoo.ner, having run in ahead of us, ran down to leeward, by 
which we knew that she had made out our position. I followed 
her, and ran in, and anchored in Sheerwater Bay ; my pilot being 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 199 

of no sort of assistance to me, he seeming to have a very imper- 
fect knowledge of the locality. Soon after anchoring, a boat 
came out of the lagoon to us, and we recognised some of our 
prize-crew of the Sea Bride in her. 

In effect the Tuscaloosa and the prize had both been three days 
in the harbour of Angra Pequena. In the afternoon we got up 
our anchor again, and ran into the lagoon,*and anchored near the 
Sea Bride in seven fathoms of water. A number of the officers 
are off this evening to 'visit the Tuscaloosa — no doubt to get a 
good drink of fresh water. I have sent my pitcher for some, be- 
ing nearly parched up with the salt-water we have been drinking 
for the last three days. We are lying in smooth water, in a snug 
harbour, and I hope to get what I have not had for several 
nights — a good night's rest. A more bleak and comfortless pros- 
pect, in the way of landscape, could scarcely present itself to the 
eye. Nothing but land and rock — not a sprig of vegetation of 
any kind to be seen. In fact it never rains here, and this is con- 
sequently a guano region. We passed a bank of guano in Halifax 
island, a shanty, a few labourers, and a large army of penguins 
spread out with much solemnity on the island. 

Saturday, August 29th. — Getting on board flour, <fec, from the 
Sea Bride, and water from the schooner— 1500 gallons, which 
will enable us to cruise some twenty days. Hauled a borrowed 
sieve in the afternoon, and caught a fine lot of fish. 

Sunday', August SOth. — At 10.30 mustered the crew, and 
landed James Adams, O.S., discharged by sentence of court-mar- 
tial, with forfeiture of pay and prize-money. 

Monday, August 3lst. — At 1 a.m. got under way, and stood out 
of the harbour. 

The Alabama was now visited by a succession of the heavy 
gales prevalent during winter time in the neighbourhood of the 
Cape. On the 7th Sept. — Captain Semmes writes — we had a 
rough, ugly night of it, with a continuance, and even increase of 
the gale, and a short and abrupt sea, in which the ship occa- 
sionally rolled and pitched with violence, frequently thumping my 
cot against the beams overhead and awaking me. Shipped 
large quantities of water through the propeller well ; cabin-deck 
leaking. 

Tuesday, September 8th. — Weather cloudy, the sun shining 
faintly through the grey mass. Gale "continues; the wind (E.S.E.) 
not having varied a hair for the last sixteen hours. Barometer 
gradually falling ; ship rolling and pitching in the sea, and all 
things dreary-looking and uncomfortable. I am supremely d.is- 



200 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

gusted with the sea and all its belongings ; the fact is, I am past 
the age when men ought to be subjected to the hardships and 
discomforts of the sea. Seagoing is one of those constant strifes 
which none but the vigorous, the hardy, and the hopeful — in 
short, the youthful, or at most, the middle-aged — should be en- 
gaged in. The very roar of the wind through the rigging, with 
its accompaniments of rolling and tumbling, hard, overcast skies, 
gives me the blues. This is a double anniversary with me. It 
was on the 8th of September that I received my first order for 
sea-service (1826) ; and it was on the 8th of September that Nor- 
ton's Division fought the battle of Moline del Ray (184*7). What 
a history of the United States has to be written since the last 
event ! How much of human weakness and wickedness and folly 
has been developed in these years ! But the North will receive 
their reward, under the inevitable and rigorous laws of a just 
government of the world. 

Another week passed with a solitary excitement in the shape of 
an obstinate English skipper, who stoutly refused to heave to. 
The following account of this affair is extracted from the journal 
of one of the Alabama's officers : — 

Towards evening of the 10th of September the wind fell con- 
siderably. At 8.30 p.m. a sail in sight on weather bow. Imme- 
diately we turned to windward, and stood in chase. At 9.45 fired 
a gun to heave chase to. Chase, however, still kept on her course. 
At 10.35 we ran up alongside, and the officer of the deck hailed 
her — u Ship ahoy !" " Halloa ! heave to, and I will send a boat on 
board." " What do you want me to heave to for ?" " That's my 
business." " Ace you -a vessel of war ?" Captain Semmes then 
waxing wroth, replied, " I'll give you five minutes to heave to in." 
" You have no right to heave me to unless you tell me who you 
are." "I'll let you know who I am." To officer of the deck — 
" Load that gun with shot, sir, aud rain on that fellow — he's stupid 
enough to be a foreigner." " Tell me who you are," yelled out the 
master of the ship. "If you are not hove to in five minutes I'll 
fire into you." Addressing the officer of the watch, Captain 
Semmes asked, " Is that guu ready for firing, sir ?" " All ready, 
sir." " Then stand by to fire." 

The Captain of the ship beginning to realize the fact that we 
were in earnest, rolled out a volley of oaths, not only loud, but 
deep also. That little ebullition being finished, he hauled his 
mainsail up and lay to. Captain Semmes then gave me orders to 
board and ascertain who the vessel was, as the reluctance to heave 
to was suspicious in itself. 

On boarding, the Mate met me at the gangway and introduced 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 201 

me to a tall, burly man, who proved to be the Master. With the 
utmost suavity I inquired, " What ship is this ?" " Who are you ?" 
he blurted out. "What ship is this, captain?" I repeated. "I 
sha'n't tell you," was the polite reply. "Captain, what vessel is 
this ?" " Are you a man-of-war ?" asked he. " Of course we are," 
replied I. "Who are you?" queried he. 

With the greatest distinctness possible, and with the utmost 
sternness, I said, " We are — we are the United States steamer 
Iroquois, Captain Palmer, on a cruise ; and now, having told you 
this, I have something more to tell you — namely, that I am come 
on board to ask questions, not to answer them ; further, I have 
asked you three times who you are, and have not yet received an 
answer. So just step down into the cabin, and produce the ship's 
papers." 

With a very ill grace he descended into the cabin, I following, 
and I had just removed my cap when he roared out, " Who are 
you ? Are you English ? Say you are an English man-of-war, 
and I will let you look at my papers." Said I, " Captain, either 
you are crazy, or else you think I am. Here we fire a gun, and 
any man with a grain of sense would have understood that it was 
meant for a ship to heave to, more especially when a nation is at 
war. You are told to heave to, are boarded, and asked a question. 
Instead of replying, you ask, perfectly savagely, ' Who are you V 
I tell you we are the United States ship Iroquois, and then you 
ask, 'Are you English ? Tell me you are an English man-of-war.!' 
It's absurd, I tell you." 

"Mr. Officer," yelled he, "'crazy!' 'sense!' 'absurd!' By 
G — d, sir, if an English man-of-war were here, no Yankee dare set 
foot on this deck, sir. Who are you ?" " Captain," I said to the 
man, "it is time this piece of folly were ended. Now understand 
me. Look at that clock : it wants twelve minutes to eleven ; I 
want to see your papers; I give you two minutes to produce them 
in. If, at ten minutes to eleven, the papers are not forthcoming, 
I shall adopt measures to place them in my possession." 

I then sat down. Question after question did the worthy skip- 
per ask, but no reply did I deign to give. At length it wanted 
but a few seconds to the time specified, when with a bad grace the 
irate Master produced his key, unlocked his safe, and brought 
forth his papers. Upon examination I found it was the ship 
Flora, of ancfto Liverpool, from Manilla, with a general cargo. 

While looking over his papers, a ceaseless string of interroga- 
tions was kept up by the Master, to which I returned no answer, 
merely returning the papers, and remarking that he had given, 
himself and us also, some really causeless detention. " Have you 



202 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

any news, captain ?" I asked. "Yes,* I have some news; news 
that some three or four of you would like to be acquainted with, 
but news that one of you would rather not know. But I'd see 
you Yankees sunk forty fathoms deep before I would tell you it." 
" Come, captain, don't be uncharitable ; you know what is writ- 
ten in the Bible." 

He then went on to state what a bad passage he had made so 
far, having met with a succession of baffling winds ever since he 
had left Manilla ; that he had made all sail for a fair wind, and 
which had only lasted for a few hours, the wiud coming ahead 
again ; and it looking threatening, he had reduced sail considera- 
bly, and was making but slow progress when he was stopped 
by us. 

" Stopped by a Yankee, too ! That's something I won't forget 
in a hurry," said he. 

I could not help laughing at the " offended majesty" air he 
assumed, and wishing him a speedy passage, returned on board. 
From one of my boat's crew I learnt that the Flora had either 
seen or been boarded a couple of days ago by a two-masted long- 
funnelled steamer, supposed by the Master to have been a Confed- 
erate,' though showing Yankee colours. 

Wednesday, September \Qth. — At 3 p.m. doubled the Cape of 
Good Hope and steamed into the anchorage at Simon's Town, 
which we reached at about 4.30 p.m. The Vanderbilt had left on 
Friday last, and was reported to have hovered near the Cape for a 
day or two. Greatly disarranged by the news from home — 
Vicksburg and Port Hudson fallen ; Rosecraus' army marching 
southwards ; and Lee having recrossed the Potomac. Our poor 
people seem to be terribly pressed by the Northern hordes. 

But we shall fight it out to the end, and the end will be what 
an all-wise Providence shall decree. 

Thursday, September 17 th. — Called on the Admiral, and re- 
ceived a visit from the Captain of the Narcissus. 

Various misrepresentations had been made to the Admiral as to 
my proceedings since I left, &c, by the United States Consul, 
which I explained away. Spent an agreeable half-hour with the 
Admiral and his lady. There being no coal here — the Vander- 
bilt having taken it all — I made arrangements for it to be sent to 
me from Cape Town. 

Saturday, September \§th. — The steamer Kadie arrived with 
coals for me from Cape Town. Hauled her alongside, and com- 
menced coaling. Walked on shore, and lunched with Captain 
Bickford. Dispatched letters for the mail-steamer for England. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 203 

Liberty-men drunk, and few returning. Dined with the Admiral. 
A very pleasant party, composed entirely of naval officers, includ- 
ing the Captains of the ships present, the Captain-superintendent 
of the dockyard, &c. After dinner the young ladies made their 
appearance in the drawing-room, and we had some music. 

Sunday, September 20th. — Hauled the ship over to get at the 
copper around the blow-pipe, which was worn off. Visited the 
shore at half-past nine, took a long walk, dropped in upon the 
Post-captain, and went to church — Father Kiernan saying mass. 
He is an earnest, simple-minded Irish priest, with a picturesque 
little church on the hill-side, and a small congregation composed 
chiefly of soldiers and sailors — a seaman serving mass. Captain 
Coxon and a couple of the Lieutenants of the squadron being 
present. Liberty-men returning in greater numbers to-day — the 
money is giving out. 

Monday, September. 2\st. — At daylight, hauled the steamer 
alongside again, and recommenced coaling. Called to see the 
ladies at the Admiral's after dinner, and walked through their 
quite extensive garden, winding up a ravine with a rapid little 
stream of water passing through it. 

Tuesday, September 22nd. — A large number of liberty-men on 
shore yet. The Yaukee Consul, with his usual unscrupulousness, 
is trying to persuade them to desert. With one or two exceptions, 
the whole crew have broken their liberty — petty officers and all. 
With many improvements in the character of the seaman of the 
present day, in regard to intelligence, he is, in some respects, as 
bad as ever. Finished coaling this evening. 

Wednesday, September 23rd. — Refitting the fore-topmasts. 
Some twenty men still absent. A few are picked up by the 
Simon's Town police for the sake of the reward. And the sailor- 
landlords, those pests of all sea-ports, are coming on board and 
presenting bills for board, &c. Of course these claims are not 
listened to. It is a common contrivance with Jack and these 
sharks, to endeavor to extort money out of their ships. 

The process is simple enough. The landlord gives Jack a glass 
or two of bad liquor, and it may be, a meal or two, and it is 
agreed between them that a bill of twenty times the value re- 
ceived shall be acknowledged. The land-shark charges in this 
exorbitant way for the risk he runs of not being able to get any- 
thing, so he has nothing to complain of when he happens to come 
across a captain who is disposed to protect his seamen from such 
extortion. Knowing the villains well, I did not permit them to 
impose upon me. 

Thursday, September 24th. — Waiting for the chance of getting 



204 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

over my deserters from Cape Town. Informed by telegraph, in 
the afternoon, that it was useless to wait longer, as the police de- 
clined to act. It thus appears that the authorities declined to 
enable me to recover my men — fourteen in number, enough to 
cripple my crew. This is another of those remarkable interpreta- 
tions of neutrality in which John Bull seems to be so particularly 
fertile. Informed by telegrams from Cape Town that vessels had 
arrived reporting the Vanderbilt on two successive days off Cape 
Aguthas and Pflint Danger. The moon being near its full, I 
preferred not to have her blockade me'in Simon's Bay, as it might 
detain me until I should have a "dark moon," and being all ready 
for sea, this would have been irksome ; so the gale having lulled 
somewhat, towards 9 p.m., I ordered steam to be got up, and at 
half-past eleven, we moved out from our anchors. 

The lull only deceived us, as we had scarcely gotten under way, 
before the gale raged with increased violence, and we were obliged 
to buffet it with all the force of our four boilers. The wind blew 
fiercely ; but still we drove her between five and six knots per 
hour in the very teeth of it. 

Nothing could exceed the peculiar weird-like aspect of the 
scene, as we struggled under the full moonlight with the midnight 
gale. The surrounding mountains and high lands, seemingly at a 
great distance in the hazy atmosphere, had their tops piled with 
banks of fleecy clouds, remaining as motionless as snow-banks, 
which they very much resembled — the cold south wind assisting 
the illusion ; the angry waters of the bay breaking in every di- 
rection, occasionally dashing on board of us ; the perfectly clear 
sky, with no sign of a cloud anywhere to be seen, except those 
piled on the mountains already mentioned ; — the bright full moon 
shedding her mysterious rays on all surrounding objects — illumi- 
nating, yet distancing them — all these were things to be remem- 
bered. And last, the revolving light on the Cape, at regular in- 
tervals, lighting up the renowned old headland. 

We passed the Cape at about 3 a.m., and bearing away gave, 
her the trysails reduced by their bonnets, and close-reefed top- 
sails ; and I turned in to snatch a brief repose, before the trials of 
another day should begin. 

Friday, September 25th. — Delivered the jail, as usual, upon 
getting to sea. It will take several days, I am afraid, to work 
the grog out of the crew, before they are likely to settle down 
into good habits and cheerfulness. 

The next fortnight's run through the heavy gales that prevail 
almost incessantly in the higher latitudes of the Indian Ocean, 
brought the Alabama some 2400 miles upon her course. Two 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 205 

days more brought her off the Island of St. Paul's, a distance of 
2840 miles. Another couple of days, and she had made about 
sufficient easting, and began to shape her course towards the 
north — the " sunny north." 

A few short extracts from the journal will give sufficient idea 
of the period thus passed through : — 

October \<Sth. — Lat. 35 23; Long. 89*55; no observations for 
current; distance some 135 miles. The gale in which we lay-to 
ten hours, having broken in upon our day's work. Bar. 29 - 57, 
and on a stand ; running before the wind, under close-reef and 
reefed foresail. Afternoon gale increased, and between twelve 
and one it blew furiously, the whole sea being a sheet of foam, 
the air rendered misty by the spray, and the heavy seas threaten- 
ing to jump on board of us, although we were scudding at the 
rate of very little less than fifteen knots — the whole accompanied 
by an occasional snow-squall from dark, threatening-looking 
clouds. It is not often that a wilder scene is beheld : in the 
meantime the Cape pigeons are whirling around us, occasionally 
poising themselves against the stern, as serenely, apparently, as if 
the elements were at rest. The barometer has remained perfectly 
stationary at 29'57 during this blow for seven hours (from morn- 
ing to 7 p.m.), without varying a single hair's breadth, during all 
of which time the gale was raging with unmitigated violence from 
about S.W. by W. to S.W. During this period, we were travel- 
ling about on an average speed of eleven knots ; and of course 
this must have been the rate of speed of the vortex — distant from 
us probably 1 50 to 200 miles. At 7 p.m. the mercury began to 
rise slowly, and at 8 was at 27-60, the weather looking less angry, 
and the squalls not so frequent or violent. Verily, our good ship, 
as she is darted a-head on the top of one of those huge, long In- 
dian Ocean waves that pursue her, seems like a mere cock-boat. 

It is remarkable that this is the anniversary of the cyclone we 
took off the banks of Newfoundland. 
,. October 18th — Observing has been particularly vexatious during 
the past week. What with the heavy seas constantly rising be- 
tween the observer and the horizon, preventing him from produc- 
ing a contact at the very instant, it may be, that he is ready for it, 
the passage of a flying cloud under the sun when his horison is 
all right, and the heavy rolling of the ship requiring him to pay 
the utmost care to the preservation of his balance, and sometimes 
even to " lose his sight" — from the necessity of withdrawing one 
hand suddenly from his instrument to grasp the rail or the rigging 
to prevent himself from falling — what with all these things, the 
patience of even as patient a man as myself is sorely tried. Per- 



206 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

haps this stormy tumbling about at &a is the reason why seamen 
are so calm and quiet on shore. We come to hate all sorts of 
commotion, whether physical or moral. 

At last the region of endless gales was passed, and escaping en- 
tirely the southern belt of calms, the Alabama dashed along in the 
S. E. trade. On the 26th October, as she was nearing the Line, 
news reached her from an English barque, that the United States 
sloop Wyoming was on guard in the Sunda Straits, accompanied 
by a three-masted schooner. This sloop being about the Ala- 
bama's own size, hopes of a fight were again rife among both offi- 
cers and men ; and great was their impatience when the trade at 
length parted from them, and light, variable winds again began to 
baffle the eager ship. 

Drawing slowly nearer to the Straits, news still came from pass- 
ing ships of the enemy's presence there, reports going at length so 
far as to state, that she had been specially dispatched thither by 
the United States consul at Batavia, in search of the Alabama 
herself. 

At last, on the 6th November, came another prize, the first 
since leaving the Cape of Good Hope, nearly six weeks before. 
She proved to be the barque Amanda, from Manilla to Queenstown 
for orders, the following being the particulars of her case : — 

CASE OF THE BARQUE AMANDA. 

Ship under U. S. colours and register. Cargo, sugar and hemp. 
Charter-party to proceed to Europe or the United States. On the 
face of each of the three bills of lading appears the following cer- 
tificate for the British Vice-consul at Manilla : — 

" I hereby certify that Messrs. Ker and Co., the shippers of the 
merchandize specified in this bill of lading, are British subjects 
established in Manilla, and that according to invoices produced, 
the said merchandize is shipped by order, and for account of 
Messrs. Halliday, Fox, and Co., British subjects of London, in 
Great Britain." 

As nobody swears to anything, of course this certificate is val- 
ueless, and the presumption of law prevails, viz., "that all property 
found under the enemy's flag is enemy's property," until the con- 
trary be shown by competent and credible testimony under oath, 
duly certified to by a Consul or another officer. Ship and cargo 
condemned. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 207 



CHAPTER XXXII. 

New cruising-ground — Case of the Winged Racer — A good chase — 
The Contest — On the look-out — Not to he deceived — No prizes — 
Condore — A French settlement — Kindly greetings — Monkey Island 
— Far from home — Whistling Locusts — Instinct — Why no one sees 
a dead monkey — Homewards — Yankee 



The 8th of November saw the Alabama again in sight of land, and 
after anchoring for a night off Flat Point, and sending a boat 
ashore, in the vain hope of finding in the Malay villages a supply 
of some sort of fresh provision, she again lifted her anchor and 
proceeded to sea under steam. 

Tuesday, November \0th. — Passed between the islands of Beezee 
and Sonbooko, both high and picturesque, the channel about a 
mile wide, some villages under the groves of cocoa-nut trees on the 
former. The naked natives coming down to the beach to gaze at 
us. We ran through the Strait of Sunda about 2 p.m., passing to 
the westward of Thwart-the-Way. 

Soou after passing out of the Strait and shaping our course, we 
discovered a clipper-looking ship, under topsails, standing towards 
North Island. Gave chase, although we were in the midst of a 
rain squall, and in the course of fifteen or twenty minutes we were 
near enough to him to make him show his colours. They were 
United States, and upon being boarded he proved to be the 
Winged Racer, a vessel for which we had been hunting outside 
the Strait. We captured him and sent him to anchor about three 
miles from North Island (the Island bearing about W.S.W.), and 
ran up and anchored near him ourselves. By working hard we 
were enabled to get everything we wanted out of him by 2 o'clock 
a.m. ; and having despatched her crew, together with the crew of 
the Amanda, in the boats of the prize, at their own request, we 
got under way at 4 a.m., and steamed out of sight of the coast by 
daylight. We were fortunate enough to get some fowls, fruits, 
and vegetables from a bum-boat of Malays, who made a business 
of supplying ships. The boat reported that, when she left Angra 
about two days before, the Wyoming was there. Fired the ship. 



CASE OF THE WINGED RACER. 
Ship under United States colours and register, and no claim of 



208 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

the neutrality of the cargo among the papers ; ship bound to New 
York. Ship and cargo condemned. 



Wednesday, November lltk. — Made the North Watcher soon 
after daylight, and finding that if I continued on at the same 
speed, I should be up with Gasper Strait early in the night, and 
should be obliged to anchor until daylight, I ordered the steam to 
be let down, and we were about making arrangements for getting 
up the propeller, when a sail was descried on the port bow, close 
hauled on the starboard tack. She soon proved to be a rakish- 
looking ship, evidently United States. Kept away from her fiom 
time to time as she passed towards our bow, and when we came 
near enough we showed her the United States colours. She re- 
plied with the same. I then tired a gun and hoisted our own 
colours (new flag). Instead of obeying this signal to heave to, she 
made sail and ran. We at once started the fires afresh, the steam 
having gone entirely down, and made all sail in pursuit. The 
chase at this time was about four miles from us, and for a long 
time we gained scarcely any thing upon her. We threw a rifle- 
shot astern him, but he disregarded this also. Finally, after an 
exciting chase of one hour and a half (shifting guns, and sending 
men aft to trim ship, and giving her a full head of steam), we 
came near enough to him to throw a 32-pound shot between his 
masts, when he shortened sail, came to the wind, and hove to. If 
the wind had been very fresh (it was blowing a good breeze) he 
would probably have ran away from us. He proved to be the 
clipper ship Contest, from Yokohama (Japan) for New York. 
Captured him, and anchored in the open sea in fourteen fathoms 
of water, and took from the prize such supplies as we wanted. All 
our people having returned on board about nightfall, it was dis- 
covered soon after that the prize was dragging her anchor, which 
she did so fast in the freshened breeze that a boat which was sent 
to board and fire her sculled until the officer nearly lost sight of 
us, and fearing that if he continued he might lose sight of us 
altogether in a rain squall, returned. Got up steam immediately 
and weighed anchor, and ran down to the prize, sent a boat's 
crew on board of her and burned her. 

CASE OF THE CONTEST. 

Ship under United States colours and register, and no claim for 
cargo ; ship and cargo condemned. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 209 

Concluding that on receiving intelligence of the Alabama's 
arrival, the Wyoming, if, in truth, she was near the Strait, would 
run at once for Gaspar Passage in search of her, Captain Serames 
now determined to double upon his enemy, and gave her the start 
of him, holding himself for a few days in the Java Sea, a little east 
of the Strait. A week passed by without any incident worthy of 
record. At length a change came. 

Thursday, November 19 th. — At 3.30 p.m. boarded the English 
ship Avalanche (transferred) two or three days from Singapore, 
with newspapers from Eugland of the *10th of October — only forty 
days ! Gratified at the general good aspect of the news, and par- 
ticularly at our victory at Chicamauga. Reports several American 
ships laid up at Singapore, and a general stagnation of American 
trade. This ship came to anchor some two miles astern of us, and 
we sent off the prisoners of the Contest by her, the Master consent- 
ing to take them for a chronometer which I sent him. He will 
probably put them on shore at Angra Point. We first hoisted 
the Dutch flag, and sent a German, Master's Mate we had, on 
board of him ; but the Master, when told that we were a Dutch 
ship of war, said, <k Oh ! that won't do ; I was on board of her in 
Liverpool, when she was launched ! " 

Friday, November 20th. — Lowered and rigged the cutter, and 
sent her to board a couple of barques, which reported four 
American ships at Bankok ; there about to lay up, lest they 
should fall in with us, and one American ship at Manilla. 

Saturday, November 21st. — At 3 p.m. got under way under 
sail, with the wind from the south-west. 

Sunday, Nov. 22nd. — At 3 a.m. lowered the propeller, and 
went ahead under steam. Passed within about four miles of 
Direction Island at 5.15 p.m. 

Monday, Nov. 23rd. — At 8 a.m. made Seraia. 

Thursday, Nov. 26th. — Lat. 5.36; Long. 111.42, or within fifty 
miles of dangerous ground, towards which the current is setting 
us. No anchoring ground. 47 fathoms. After noon, the calm 
still continuing, let go a kedge in 50 fathoms of water — mud — 
aud veered to 150 fathoms. 

Friday, Nov. 2lth. — Noon. The struggle against the current 
is hopeless in the deathlike calm that prevails, and so we have 
come-to again with the kedge. 

Sunday, Nov. 29th. — After five days of dead calm, we took the 
monsoon this morning at daylight, settling in lightly, and at 9 
a.m. we got under way, and stood to the northward and west- 
ward. 

Thursday, Dec. 3rd. — At daylight we discovered a small vessel 

10 



210 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

at anchor near the head of the harbour of the Island of Condore, 
with French colours, and awnings and other indications of her 
being a vessel of war. Sent a boat in to examine water. Boat 
returned at 1 p.m. with the commander of the vessel — a French 
vessel of war — and I was quite surprised to learn that we had 
arrived in civilized waters, and that the Island of Condore was in 
the possession of the French. There was a small garrison of 50 
or 60 at the village on the east side. There had been a recent 
revolt of the natives, the French officers said ; and for this reason 
there were few vegetables or fruits to be had, and most of the 
natives had betaken themselves to the mountains. Got under way 
and ran into the harbour, the Frenchman politely showing me the 
way, and anchored in nine fathoms. Got a spring out, so as to 
present our port broadside to any enemy that might be disposed to 
violate neutrality, and, to save coal, permitted all the fires to go 
out. A couple of ships, running before the wind, passed in sight 
during the day — the ships prudently running a little out of the 
track to sight the island in this uncertain sea. 

Friday, December 4th. — The harbour is picturesque, with mount- 
ains rising abruptly from the water to the height of 1800 feet, 
clothed with dense verdure from water's edge to top, many of thte 
trees being of large size. The soil is very rich, but there is little 
cultivated land, the mountain-sides being too steep. The French 
have constructed two or three huts on the northern shore, and a 
couple of rude jetties, or landing places of loose stone. Landed on 
one of these to get sight for the chronometers. Found a French- 
man overseeing three or four Chinese seamen chopping wood and 
thatching a hut. The French make slaves, both here and on the 
mainland, of prisoners of war. The island is under the govern- 
ment of an Enseign de Vaisseau. 

The Commander of the Junk is a Midshipman, so that we have 
gotten among high dignitaries. Landed at noon, at an inviting 
little sand-beach on the south shore, to get latitude — 8° 39' 10". 
Found the ruined hut of a Frenchman, with his grave close by, 
and his name carved on the bark of a tree on the beach. A pic- 
turesque burial spot, amid eternal shades, with the lullaby of the 
ocean. 

Saturday, December hth. — Amused this morning, watching 
some sedate old baboons sitting on the sand-beach opposite, and 
apparently observing the ship very attentively. Large numbers 
of these caricatures of humanity inhabit these i&ands ; yesterday, 
when a boat landed, great numbers of young ones were seen gam- 
boling about ; but one of the old ones having called out to them, 
they soon all disappeared in the thick wood. Returned the visit 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 211 

of the Frenchman. He is on board a miserable country craft, of 
about 40 tons burthen. Sent a boat to the village on the east 
side to call on the Governor, and see if we could get some fruit 
and vegetables. Boat returned at night-fall. The village is a 
mere military port, the native inhabitants, except a few prisoners 
or slaves, having fled to the mountains, and no supplies were to be 
had. The Governor's residence is a thatched hut, as are all the 
other houses, with no industry or taste displayed in their struc- 
ture. A few patches of cultivation were visible — rice, fruit, and 
cotton — the latter looking rather unpromising. The destroyers of 
their rice were the monkeys. There are several varieties of fine 
large pigeons here, and in abundance. They are beautiful in 
feather and fat. A common variety has a green back and golden 
tail. This must be a paradise for monkeys, so abundant is their 
food in the forests, almost every tree bearing a fruit or nut of 
some sort. These French officers had heard and believed that we 
sunk or burned every ship we took, with all on board, and received 
the Paymaster rather coolly at first, but became quite cordial when 
they observed we were Christians, and did not commit this whole- 
sale murder. 

Sunday, December 6th. — Another lonely Sabbath-day — lonely, 
though in the midst of one hundred and fifty people. Away, 
away from home, by half the circumference of the globe ! One 
of the most frequent and unpleasant of my experiences since I 
entered the China Sea, is an oppressive sense of great distance 
from home, and the utter strangeness of everything around me, 
almost as though I had entered another planet. 

Monday, December 7 th. — The commander of the island, M. 
Bizot, visited me to-day. He is an agreeable and intelligent 
young man of twenty-four or five years of age, and appeared very 
friendly and expressed sympathy for our cause. His position is a 
flattering one for a man of his age and rank, and he seems to have 
entered upon his duties with pride and zeal. He brought me a 
chart of the island, surveyed last year. The French have been in 
possession two years and a half. He spoke of my having hoisted 
the English flag upon first anchoring, and seemed surprised that 
Ve had not heard of the possession of the islaud by the French, 
which, he said, had been notified to all the Powers. I pleasantly 
told him that I had had some notion of taking possession pf it 
myself, but that I had found the French ahead of me. He 
brought down fdr me the welcome present of a pig and some 
little fruit, and told me he had a potato patch on shore, which he 
would share with me. Fresh provisions of all kinds are so scarce 
here that I fear my generous friend has been robbing himself. 



212 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

He told me that he bad one hundred and forty for cats — slave- 
prisoners — at the village, whom he meant to put to good use in 
constructing store and dwelling-houses, &c. The hunters brought 
on board to-day an East India bat, or vampire, measuring two feet 
ten inches from tip to tip of wing. Its head resembled that of a 
dog or wolf more than any other animal, its teeth being very 
sharp and strong. Among the curiosities of the island is a locust, 
that has a whistle almost as loud as that of a railroad. 

Tuesday, Dec. 8th. — The Commander of the Junk came on 
board, and brought me a couple of fowls. The apes here are 
very large, and quite fierce. They will not run from you, but 
come around you, and grin and chatter at you. An officer shot 
one, and he died like a human being, throwing his hands over 
his wound and uttering piercing cries! This monkey was after- 
wards buried in the sand by his comrades, though the interment 
was not quite complete when the operators were interrupted. 
This is the reason why nobody ever sees a dead monkey, any 
more, as the Singhalese proverb says, than a white crow or a 
straight cocoa-nut tree. A curious vegetable product was brought 
on board to-day, it being to all appearance a finely-made Havana 
cigar. The fibre is woody, covered with a smooth bark, and the 
colour of dark tobacco. It comes from the tree perfect in shape, 
and is not a seed-pod or fruit. One is at a loss to conceive its 
use or functions. The illusion caused by its appearance is perfect. 
We had no success with the sieve, the fish here being all jumpers, 
and jumping out of the net. 

Wednesday, Dec. 9th. — The excessive heat and moisture of the 
climate here is very enervating. We begin to feel its effects 
already. It weighs upon us like a vapour-bath, and we feel indis- 
posed to take the least exercise ; a walk on shore of half a mile or 
so quite overcomes us. 

Thursday, Dec. 10th. — At about 2.30 p.m. a French steamer 
passed the Gap, going to the southward. Afterwards informed by 
the Commander that it was the mail steamer from Saigon, for Sin- 
gapore.. The Saigon people are expecting us there. 

Friday, Dec. llth. — In the afternoon the Commander and Sur- 
geon came on board, bringing us a bullock/ and some vegetables. 

Sunday, Dec. 13th. — The crew dined off the Commander's bul- 
lock to-day, being the first meal of fresh meat since leaving Simon's 
Town, nearly three months ago ; and yet we have no one on the 
sick list! Causes — good water, temperance, strict government, 
and, as a consequence, a reasonable degree of contentment, and 
moderate and constant employment. The crew has had several 
runs on shore, too, without the possibility of getting drunk. A 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 213 

present of cocoa-nuts this morning from the Commander. This 
young Frenchman is very attentive to us. 

Monday, Dec. \±th. — To-day we applied the principle of the 
coffer-dam to the replacement of the copper around our delivery 
or blow-pipe, some three feet below water. The operation proved 
quite simple and easy of accomplishment. Getting ready for sea. 
The news of our " whereabouts" probably reached Singapore on 
the evening of Saturday, and it is only two days from Singapore 
here, for a fast steamer ; and so, whilst the enemy, should there be 
one at Singapore, is coming hitherward, we must be goin£ thither- 
ward to seek coal and provisions. 

Tuesday, Dec. \5th. — At daylight got under way, under sail, 
and stood out of the harbour — lighting and banking the fires. 
On account of our proximity to the shore, and the very light 
breeze, we had barely room to pass the point — not more than a 
ship's length to spare, in case we had been obliged to let go our 
anchor. I felt quite nervous for a few minutes, but held on, and 
we caught a light breeze that soon sent us ahead out of danger. 

Well, we are on the sea once more, with our head turned west- 
ward, or homeward. Shall we ever reach that dear home which 
we left three years ago, and which we have yearned after so fre- 
quently since? Will it be battle, or shipwreck, or both, or nei- 
ther? And when we reach the North Atlantic, will it still be war, 
or peace? When will the demon-like passions of the North be 
stilled ? These are solemn and interesting questions for us, and an 
all-wise Providence has kindly hidden the answers behind the cur- 
tain of Fate. A lengthened cruise would not be politic in these 
warm seas. The homeward trade of the enemy is now quite small 
— reduced probably to twenty or thirty ships per year; and these 
may easily evade us by taking the different passages to the Indian 
Ocean, of which there are so many, and so widely separated. The 
foreign coasting trade (as between one port in Chiua and another, 
and the trade to and from Calcutta and to and from Australia), 
besides facilities for escape, are almost beyond our reach — at least 
we could only ransom the ship, the cargoes being all neutral — 
that is to say, such of them as get cargoes, now not many. And 
then there is no cruising or chasing to be done here successfully, 
or with safety to oneself, without plenty of coal ; and we can only 
rely upon coaling once in three months at some English port. At 
the other ports there would probably be combinations made against 
us, through the influence of the Yankee Consuls. So I will try 
my luck around the Cape of Good Hope once more ; then to the 
coast of Borneo ; and thence perhaps to Barbadoes, for coal ; and 
thence ? If the war be not ended, my ship will need to go 



214 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

into dock, to have much of her copper replaced, now nearly de- 
stroyed by such constant cruising-, and to have her boilers over- 
hauled and repaired ; and this can only be properly done in Eu- 
rope. Our young officers, who had had so agreeable a change 
from the cramped ship to the shores and forests of Condore, with 
their guns and their books, had become so attached to the island 
that they left it with some regret. 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 

In the East — A or — Marine nomads — Susj)icious — At Singapore — A 
busy city — Chinese merchants— mWhampoa and Co. — Calculating 
machines — Under way — The Martaban of Maulmain — Trans- 
formation — The Texan Star — Evasive — Getting at the truth — 
Confusion — Malacca — The Sonora — To the Cape. 

The Alabama was now steering for Singapore, and for three or 
four days kept her course without the occurrence of anything 
particularly noteworthy. On the 19th December she anchored 
for a time in the bay on the south-east side of the island of Aor, 
with its lofty hills clothed with green to their summits, and its 
little sandhills and groves of cocoa-nut trees. The island is un- 
claimed by any European nation. 

Sunday, Dec. 20th. — To-day being Sunday, and the weather 
being still thick, and blowing, I have resolved to remain until 
to-morrow before making the run for Singapore. Weather im- 
proved this morning, however, and the barometer going up. 
Several islands visible that were hid from us yesterday. Pulo Aor 
looking beautiful and picturesque. Some of the natives on board 
with their scant stores of fowls, eggs, and cocoa-nuts. They are 
larger than the natives of Condore, and stouter, and more de- 
veloped, but with countenances not very prepossessing. The 
Governor, a rough-looking, middle-aged fellow, above the common 
height, pulled out some greasy papers, the recommendations of 
former visitors, and desired that I also would give him one, which 
I declined, as I knew nothing about him. Their canoes are light 
and graceful, and occasionally they present quite a picture with 
their gaily-dressed or half-dressed occupants. We heard their 
tom-toms and banjoes last night as evening set in, but a music 
much sweeter to our ears was a chorus from some frogs, with 
notes somewhat finer than their relatives on our side of the earth. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 215 

These islanders are nothing more than marine nomads, that lead 
an idle, vagabond life, intermixed with a good deal of roguery. 
They have a fiue physique, as might be supposed from their open- 
air mode of life, in which they have plenty of healthful exercise 
without being overworked, as Mother Nature feeds them spon- 
taneously, and they require little more clothing than they brought 
into the world with them. 

In the afternoon some of the officers visited the shore, and were 
hospitably received. There were from ninety to one hundred 
natives, men, women, and children, visible, and there were pro- 
bably as many more on the other side of the island, as they have 
a S.W. monsoon village there. They seemed to have plenty of 
fowls, and they are very expert fishermen. They were gambling 
— such a thing as labour being out of the question. The island 
seems originally to have been a solid mass of rock, the rocky 
walls of the mountains peeping out in many places from the 
midst of the dense forest, and gradually as time and the elements 
disintegrated portions of it, plants and trees took root, until the 
island became what it is now, a mass of luxuriant vegetation. 
There were some fine large boats carefully hauled up on the beach, 
quite large enough for piratical purposes, for which they were 
probably intended, and some swivels were lying near the chief 
man's door. The cocoa-nut tree has climbed the mountain sides, 
and waves its feathery foliage from the crests of the ridges. It is 
food, and cordage, and light to the natives. Several delightful 
little valleys presented themselves, upon which, and on the ad- 
jacent steeps or the mountaius, were thatched huts. Probably to 
the mere animal part of our nature, the life that these people lead 
is happier than any other ; wants few and easily supplied, labour 
not too pressing, and the simple tastes satisfied with such pleasures 
as they find. 

Rain > rain, in the afternoon. Most of the moisture is deposited 
on the mountain-tops, and the clouds sweep over it. And now 
for Singapore, God willing. 

Monday, Dec. 2\st. — At 3.30 a.m. we got under way, under 
steam and sail, and steered S. by E. 32-J- miles, South 18 miles, 
and S. by W. 14 miles; and the weather setting in very thick, 
with heavy rain, obscuring all things, we were obliged to come to 
in 10J fathoms, with the north point of Bintang island bearing, 
aud within 11 miles by computation of the Pedra franca light- 
house. We have thus to war against the weather as well as our 
enemies. Soou after daylight we made a ship-rigged steamer on 
our port bow, bound also for Singapore. She anchored near us 
astern. It clearing a little at noon, we got hold of the marks and 



216 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

got under way, and taking a Malay pilot, anchored off Singapore 
at 5.30 p.m. , 

Tuesday, Dec. 22d. — At 9.30 a.m. the pilot came on board, and 
we ran up into New Harbour alongside of the coaling depot, and 
commenced coaling. Singapore is quite a large town, with an air 
of prosperity — a large number of ships in the harbour. The coun- 
try is beautiful, and green, with an abundance of fine fruit, &c. ; 
the country around highly improved with tasteful houses and well- 
laid-out grounds. The English residents call it the Madeira of the 
East, in allusion to its healthfulness. Some twenty-two American 
merchant ships here, most of them laid up ! The Wyoming was 
here twenty days ago, and left for Rhio Strait, where she remained 
for some days. Finished coaling last night, the operation having 
occupied no more than ten hours. Received provisions. 

Wednesday, Dec. 23rd. — Weather variable, with occasional 
showers of rain — raining heavily in the afternoon. Visited the 
city, and was astonished at its amount of population and business. 
There are from eighty to one hundred thousand Chinese on Singa- 
pore island, nearly all of them in the city, from twelve to fifteen 
thousand Malays, and about fifteen hundred Europeans. Singa- 
pore being a free port, it is a great entrepot of trade. Great quan- 
tities of Eastern produce reach it from all quarters, whence it is 
shipped to Europe. 

The business is almost exclusively in the hands of the Chinese, 
who are also the artisans and labourers of the place. The streets 
are thronged with foot-passengers and vehicles, among which are 
prominent the ox, or rather the buffalo cart, and the hacks for 
hire, of which latter there are nine hundred licensed. The canal 
is filled with country boats of excellent model, and the warehouses 
are crammed with goods. Money seems to be abundant and things 
dear. They are just finishing a tasteful Gothic church, with a tall 
spire, which is a notable landmark as you approach ; they are also 
completing officers' quarters on a hill which commands the town. 
Barracks for three or four regiments lie unoccupied a couple of 
miles outside the city, and a large court-house. 

The moving multitude in the streets comprises every variety of 
the human race, every shade of colour, and every variety of dress, 
among which are prominent the gay turbans and fancy jackets of 
the Mahomedan, Hindu, &c. Almost all the artisans and labour- 
ers were naked, except a cloth or a pair of short trousers tucked 
about the waist. The finest dressed part of the population was 
decidedly the jet-black, with his white flowing mantle and spotted 
turban. The upper class of Chinese merchants are exceeding po- 
lite, and seem intelligent. I visited the establishment of Wham- 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 217 

poa and Co. Whampoa was above the middle height, stout, and 
with a large, well-developed head. I was told that his profits 
some years amounted to forty or fifty thousand pounds ! He was 
sitting in a small, dingy, ill-lighted little office on the ground floor, 
and had before him a Chinese calculating machine, over the nu- 
merous small balls of which, strung on wires, he was running his 
hands for amusement, as a gambler will sometimes do with his 
checks. At the suggestion of the gentleman who was with me, I 
requested him to multiply four places of figures by three places, 
naming the figures, and the operation was done about as rapidly 
as I could write down the result. Their shaved heads, and long 
queues, sometimes nearly touching the ground, are curious fea- 
tures of their personal appearance. The workshops front upon the 
streets, and in them busy, half-naked creatures may be seen, work- 
ing away as industriously as so many beavers all day long, seeming 
never to tire of their ceaseless toil. 

Amid all this busy population I saw but one female in the 
streets, and she was of the lower class. Dined in the country with 
Mr. Beaver. The ride out was over good roads flanked by large 
forests and ornamental trees, among which was the tall, slender, 
graceful palm of the betel-nut. The Botanical Gardens are on an 
elevation commanding a fine view of the town and the sea, and 
are laid out with taste, ornamented with flowering trees and shrubs, 
and flowers. Hither a band of music comes to play several times 
a week, when the townspeople turn out to enjoy the scene. A 
few miles beyond the town the whole island is a jungle, in which 
abounds the ferocious Bengal tiger. It is said that one man and 
a half per day is the average destruction of human life by these 
animals. Visited opium-preparation shop. It pays an enormous 
licence. 

All this beauty fails to reconcile the European lady to this 
country, I was told. The eternal sameness of summer, and the 
heat and moisture, weigh upon them, and their husbands being 
away all day on business, they pine for their European homes. 
The life seems agreeable enough to the men. The Governor of 
the "Straits Settlement" is a Colonel. 

Thursday, Dec. 24th. — Cloudy ; five of my men deserted last 
night. The Kwang-tung got under way at 8£ a.m., and we fol- 
lowed her and steered for the strait of Malacca. Several sails in 
sight ; Malay pilot on board. Passed the Kwang-tung very 
rapidly. At about 1 p.m. we fired a gun and hove to an Ameri- 
can-looking barque, under English colours, with the name, "Mar- 
taban, of Maulmain," on her stern. Sent a boat on board ; and 
the officer reporting that she was an American-built ship, with 

10* 



218 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

English register, and that the Master refused to come on board, I 
went on board myself to examine the case. There being no bill 
of sale, the transaction being recent, the Master and Mate, &c, 
being Americans, I had no doubt that the transfer was fraudulent, 
and captured and burned her. The cargo had no paper on board 
connected with it, except the ordinary bill of lading. It consisted 
of rice, and was shipped in Maulmain by a Mr. Cohen, and con- 
signed to his order at Singapore, whither the ship was bound. Of 
course, the cargo followed the fate of the ship under such circum- 
stances. Upon examination of the Master (Pike), under oath, he 
admitted that the transfer was a sham, and made to protect the 
ship from capture. At 11.30 p.m. came to anchor about four 
miles distant from Malacca, bearing N., in fifteen fathoms water, 
for the purpose of landing our prisoners. 

The boarding officer's journal furnishes the annexed description 
of the interview with the Master of the prize : — 

I was sent on board to examine her papers. The barque was 
American built, had a new English flag, aud on her stern was 
painted "Martaban, of Maulmain." We knew that many Yankee 
vessels had been transferred to English owners, and of course had 
to have an English flag ; but the question arose — Was there not 
some jobbery in this case ? Nearing the Martaban I saw that she 
was newly painted ; pulling round and under the stern, I saw that 
a name had been painted over, but could not see what the name 
was. I further observed that the last four letters of Maulmain had 
been painted much more recently than the other ones, so I deter- 
mined to most rigidly scrutinize her papers. Upon my arrival 
on board, I inquired after the Captain's health, and then expressed 
a wish to make a few inquiries respecting his vessel. 

He with the utmost affability was equally ready to afford me 
any information required, at the same time informing me I should 
find " everything correct." The vessel I found was the Martaban 
of Maulmain, Captain Pike, from Maulmain to Singapore, rice 
laden. I then requested to see the ship's papers, which request 
was readily granted. Accordingly the register, clearance bills of 
lading, and crew list, were speedily produced and examined, not 
omitting the Master's certificate. These but corroborated what 1 
previously knew. Putting a few questions to the Captain, and 
comparing his answers with the papers, I learned the following 
facts — viz., that the barque was American built, that she had been 
upwards of five months in Maulmain ; that she had been trans- 
ferred on the 10th December, after the cargo was in, and on the 
day in which she cleared, and only one day previous to her sailing ; 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 219 

that the captain had no certificate or bill of sale, nor, in fact, any 
papers respecting the transfer on board ; that he, the Captain, was 
an American, and had commanded the barque previous to her 
transfer. 

Taking the register up again and closely scrutinizing it, I 
observed what had previously escaped my attention — viz., that the 
register, which is a printed form, with spaces for written insertions, 
had been first written with a lead pencil, and over that with ink. 
No professional registrar or shipmaster would, I felt certain, have 
so prepared it. Looking again at the crew list I made another 
discovery, that all the names of the crew were written in one hand- 
writing, from the mate to the boys. Now I well knew that some 
of the crew, and especially the mates, would be able to write, and 
of the mate's ability to use a pen I speedily satisfied myself by 
making him produce his logbook, wherein his name, &c, was writ- 
ten ; or, if unable to write, the usual X, his mark, would have 
been affixed to each name. I had now no doubt about the papers, 
believing them to be false. I then requested the Master to take 
his papers and go on board the Alabama, which, however, he posi- 
tively refused to do, unless forcibly compelled; stating that "this 
was an affair that flag (pointing to the English colours flying at 
his peak) wouldn't stand." He still persisting in his refusal to go 
on board our ship, I took possession of his vessel, pending Captain 
Semmes' decision. 

Finding that the Mountain wouldn't come to Mahomet, Maho- 
met went to the Mountain ; for, after calling a man out of my 
boat and stationing him at the wheel, I dispatched the boat back 
to the Alabama with a report of the irregularity of the papers, 
and a request for further instructions. To my surprise, Captain 
Semmes came himself and stopped at the gangway, and told the 
Captain he had come to examine the ship's papers. Captain Pike 
signifying his assent, we went into the cabin, and the papers being 
produced, I pointed out some of the discrepancies and acts pre- 
viously mentioned. 

Captain Semmes then sharply interrogated Pike, insisting upon 
additional documents to prove the legality of the transfer. None 
being forthcoming, Captain Semmes put some questions, as only 
a lawyer can (Captain Semmes not only having studied, but prac- 
tised law), the answers to which only convinced Captain Semmes 
that what he had suspected was true — viz., that the ship was sail- 
ing under false colours, and was to all intents and purposes an 
American vessel. 

Captain Pike of course protested, to which Captain Semme3 
replied by ordering the destruction of the vessel. Captain Semmes 



220 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

returning to the Alabama, I ordered the English flag to be hauled 
down, and directed the Mates and crew to pack their luggage, and 
hold themselves in readiness to go on board our ship. The First 
Lieutenant coming off, our boats got off a few stores, and the prison- 
ers were transferred to the Alabama. 

By 5.20 had applied the torch, and regained our ship 5.30. 
The steamer Kwang-Tung was observed near our burning prize. 
We then shaped our course for Malacca, intending to land our 
prisoners there. 

About 7.30 the same evening, Mr. Smith, captain's clerk, and 
self had the boatswain and a seaman down in the steerage ; and 
putting them on oath obtained the following additional particulars 
— viz., that they shipped on board the Martaban at Hong Kong 
and Singapore respectively ; that she was then an American ves- 
sel, and called the Texan Star, of Galveston or Boston (she having 
had two American registers) ; that she left Maulmain as the Texan 
Star, and on leaving there hoisted American colours ; that the 
name Martaban, of Maulmain, was painted by the captain's nephew 
two days after leaving that port ; that the English flag was hoisted 
for the first time when the Alabama hove in sight this day ; and 
that no articles were signed by them at Maulmain ; nor, indeed, 
was any agreement made by the crew to serve in a British vessel, 
all hands, in fact, believing her to be American. The Mate hav- 
ing also made a few admissions, they and the preceding deposi- 
tions were shown to Captain Semmes, who, after sending for Cap- 
tain Pike, put the following questions to him — viz : 

What is your name ? — Samuel B. Pike. 

Where were you born ? — At Newbury Port, Massachusetts. 

Are you a naturalized citizen of any foreign government? — I 
am not. 

How long have you been in command of the Martaban, formerly 
the Texan Star ? — Two years and a half. 

In what part of the United States was the Texan Star regis- 
tered ? — She was built and registered at Boston. 

Has she but one register in America ? — There was a change of 
owners, and she has had two American registers. 

Who were the owners under the last American register ? — John 
Alkerm, Samuel Stevens, George L. Rogers, and myself. 

What proportion of the ship did you own ? — One-sixth. 

When did you sail from the last port in the United States ? — A 
year ago last July. 

It is stated in the present British register that Mr. Mark Currie 
is the owner ? — That is as I understand it. 

Do you state upon your oath that the sale was a bona fide sale? 
— I do not state that. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 221 

Do you not know that it was intended merely as a cover to 
prevent capture ? — Yes, I do know it. 

This closed the matter; nothing more was necessary. Here 
was admission enough to destroy any legal doubt that might have 
arisen from the destruction of a vessel under the English flag. 
What added to our triumph was the copy of a letter from Captain 
Pike to his owners, in which he stated that " he had taken such 
precautions as would deceive Semmes and all the Confederates." 
Had the Texan Star escaped, how Yankee cuteness would have 
been extolled ! Why, as the Bostoniaus have presented a gold 
chronometer to the master of the barque Urania for such a daring 
deed as hoisting the American flag over his American vessel in a 
neutral port (Cape Town), whilst the Alabama was lying there, I 
say, had the Texan Star escaped from the Alabama, nothing short 
of the Presidency, or a statue in marble, or the deed graved in 
letters of gold, or some other equally ridiculous token of admira- 
tion, would have awaited the gallant master, and the fame of 
his clever trick would have been handed down to Yankee pos- 
terity. 

Captain Semmes thus resumes his diary on the 25th Decem- 
ber : — At daylight sent the prisoners of the Texan Star on shore, 
with a note to the Commander. Malacca is a pretty little village, 
or at least the sea-point, viewed from our anchorage, with a pic- 
turesque hill in the rear, on which is situated the fort and light- 
house. The flagstaff was decorated with flags and signals in 
honour of Christmas Day. A couple of boats with some English 
officers and citizens ran off, and visited us for a few minutes. Got 
under way at 9.30, under steam ; at night anchored near Parceelar 
Hill in 25 fathoms water. 

Saturday, December 26tk. — At 6 a.m. got underway, and stood 
out for the lightship, and soom made a couple of American-look- 
ing ships ahead, at anchor ; steamed up to the first, which refused 
to show colours. "Sent a boat on board, when she proved to be the 
American ship Senora, from Singapore. Captured her, and 
steamed to the second, which in like manner refused to show 
colours. Upon sending a boat on board, she proved to be the 
American ship Highlander, also from Singapore. Captured her. 
Both of these ships were very large, being over a thousand tons 
each. They were both in ballast, bound to Aycaab for rice. At 
10 a.m., having sent off the crews of the two prizes in their own 
boats, at their own election, fired the ships, and steamed out. 
Passed the lightship at about 11 a.m., and discharged the pilot. 

From the 26th December to the 13th of January the Alabama 



222 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

steadily pursued her course, meeting wifh little adventure. Only 
four sail were seen in the period, and these all proved to be neu- 
trals. On the last day of the year 1863 the North Indian Ocean 
was entered, and the ship's head once more laid in the direction of 
the Cape. 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 

The Emma Jane — Quilon — An alarm — Landing prisoners — Johanna 
and Mohilla — Friendly authorities — Slavery — A trading monarch 
— Distance lends enchantment to the view — Cousins-german of the 
Sultan — Prince's gardens — Mahommedan sympathy — Off again. 

On the 14th January, as the Alabama was lazily drifting in a 
north-easterly direction, near the Malabar coast, a ship was dis- 
covered running down towards her. The useful decoy — the 
r Tnited States flag — was at once hoisted, and the same colours 
were run up by the straoger. A gun brought the Yankee vessel 
to, and the Alabama forthwith took possession of the Emma Jane 
of Bath, Maine, bound from Bombay to Amherst in ballast, and at 
8.30 p.m. the prize was set fire to. 

About this period the cruiser experienced a series of calms, and 
she drifted with the current rather than sailed. On the 16th of 
January the Ghaut Mountains were made, and Captain Semmes 
makes the following entry in his journal. 

Saturday, January \Qth. — At meridian made the town of Qui- 
lon, aud bore up east 1 south for the town of Angenga, which we 
made about 2 p.m. At 4.30 came to in the road abreast of the 
fort, and despatched a Lieutenant on shore to see about landing 
my prisoners. In the evening the residing magistrate's son came 
on board, and I arrauged the matter with him. There being no 
external trade or shipping at Angenga, the prisoners could not 
well get away by sea ; but my visitor stated that there was lagoon 
navigation inland all the way to Cochin, some seventy-five miles 
to the northward, and that at Cochin there were always means of 
reaching Bombay and other ports. Native boats were passing 
every day between Angenga and Cochin, and if I would send the 
necessary provisions on shore for the prisoners, his father would 
see them transported to Cochin. I sent a Lieutenant on shore 
after night with the son, to arrange the matter with the father; 
and as the boat was delayed much beyond her time, and we heard 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 223 

some firing as of revolvers and muskets, and as there was also 
some surf running, I became uneasy, and despatched the First 
Lieutenant in another boat to look into the matter. The chief 
magistrate had only been at public worship — the cause of the de- 
tention of the boat. Both boats returned about 11.30 p. m. 

Sunday, January 17th. — At daylight I sent all the prisoners on 
shore, where they were landed apparently in the presence of halt* 
the village — the native boats taking them through the surf — and 
at 9.30 got under way. The town of Angenga was formerly of 
some importance as a shipping port for the produce of the country 
— cocoanut oil, pepper, &c. But all its trade has passed to its 
more prosperous rival — Cochin. It is about fifty miles from Tra- 
vancore, the residence of The Rajah. There is water communi- 
cation all the way, and the journey is generally made (in canoes) 
in the night to avoid the heat of the sun. The natives are nearly 
as black as the Africans, but with straight hair and European fea- 
tures. A large number of them visited the ship this morning. 
They were fine specimens of physical development, and wore 
scarcely any other covering than a cloth about the loins. They 
were sprightly and chatty, and in their quaint canoes made quite 
a picture. 

On the 17th January the Alabama left Angenga, arriving with- 
out further adventure on the 21st at the Island of Minicoy, and 
after three weeks more of fine weather, found herself off the island 
of Comoro. 

Tuesday, February 9th. — At 3.30 a.m. passed in sight of the 
N.E. end of Comoro. Soon after daylight made the Islands of 
Johanna and Mohilla. At 1.30 p.m. came to anchor about three- 
quarters of a mile from the shore. Despatched the Paymaster to 
the town to arrange for fresh provisions. In the afternoon visited 
by several canoes, with a couple of poles lashed across the gun- 
wales, attached to v a float in each, to maintain their stability. Stal- 
wart naked negroes were for the most part their occupants. 
Many of them spoke a little English. Among others, a dignitary 
of the Church came on board with the compliments of the chief 
priest (Mahommedan). We made arrangements with him for the 
supply of the ship. One of his companions asked me to which 
of the belligerent parties I belonged to, the North or the South. 
I replied, to the South. " Then," said he, " you belong to the 
side which upholds slavery." " Yes," said I, " we belong to the 
country where the black man is better taken care of than in any 
other part of the world." The churchman seeing me put on the 



224 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

■ 
defensive, as it were, came to my aid, and said : "Oh, we are slave- 
holders here; being Mahommedans, we have no prejudices that 
way ; our only trouble is, we cannot get slaves enough. The 
English, who have no control over us, we being an independent 
government, are strong enough to interfere in everybody's business, 
and to say to us, that we bring over from the main no more slaves. 
The slaves themselves would gladly come to us, as they are much 
better off than under their native chiefs, who are continually mak- 
ing war upon and enslaving one another." 

My informant was himself a full-blooded African negro, as black 
as the ace of spades, but with an immaculate white turban on his 
head, and the flowing robe and loose jacket of the Mahommedan. 
Wednesday, February 10th. — Visited by the King's Dragoman 
this morning, who came to pay the respects of the authorities, to 
say he was glad to see us in Johanna. In the course of conversa- 
tion, he was pleased to say that our ship was well known to him, 
and the news of our having appeared off the Cape some months 
ago had driven off all the Yankee whalers, several of which 
had been accustomed to resort hither. King Abdallah, he said, 
resided on the east side of the island. The king himself would 
come to see us, but was very busy just now putting up a sugar- 
mill, which he had just received from the Mauritius. 

The island is a beautiful, picturesque spot. There is quite a 
mountain in the interior, and the higher parts of Johanna are 
densely wooded ; the mountain-sides being in some places so 
steep that the tops of some trees touch the trunks and roots of 
others. 

The inhabitants are a mixture of Arabs and negroes. They are 
intelligent and sprightly, and had not only heard of the American 
war, but said it bore heavily on them, as they were now compelled 
to pay a much higher price for -their goods, which are mostly 
cotton. We have driven away, they say, all their Yankee trade. 
The Sultan is a young man of twenty-eight, with a moderate ha- 
rem of only five wives. 

Thursday, February 11th. — Visited the town to get sights for 
my chronometers — which puts the town at 44.26.30 N., just 30" 
less than Captain Owen's determination. The town, as .viewed 
from the anchorage, is a picturesque object, with its tall minaret, 
its two forts, one perched on a hill commanding the town, and the 
other on the sea-beach, and its stone houses ; but the illusion is 
rudely dispelled on landing. You land on a beach of rocks and 
shingle, through a considerable surf even in the calmest weather. 
The beach was strevviPwith the washed clothes of the ship, and a 
set of vagabonds of all colour, save only that of the Caucasian, 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 225 

were hanging about looking curiously on. The town is dilapidat- 
ed and squalid to the last degree — the houses of rough stones, 
cemented and thatched ; the streets five feet wide, and rendered, 
as it would seem, purposely crooked. 

It was the second day of the fast of Ramadan, and groups of 
idlers were congregated in the narrow porticoes reading the Ko- 
ran. The language, which is peculiar to the island, is very soft 
and pleasing to the ear. We visited one of the principal houses. 
The walls were filled with a number of small niches, receptacles 
for everything imaginable — coffee-cups, ornaments, &c. A num- 
ber of couches were ranged round the room. 

A crowd of half-clad, dirty children gathered round us, but no 
female made. her appearance. We took our sights among the 
gaping multitude, all of whom were very civil and polite, and re- 
turned on board about 5 p.m., having seen all the outside life that 
was to be seen at Auzuan. The inside life was, of course, out of 
our reach. 

Upon coming on deck this morning I was struck with the 
soft picturesque beauty of the hills, as shone upon by the morning 
sun lighting up the tops and sides, and throwing the valleys and 
ravines into shade. At night I am lulled by the roar of the sea 
upon the beach. It is delightful to sniff the fragrance of the land 
as it comes off to us upon the dew-laden wings of the softest of 
breezes. My fellows on shore looked rueful and woe-begone — na- 
ture had no charms for them — there was no liquor to be had ! If 
I were to remain here long, I should send them on shore as a pun- 
ishment. 

Friday, February 12th. — This is the Mahommedan Sabbath, 
but they do not keep it so grimly as the Puritans. We had a num- 
ber of visitors on board, and among others, several princes, cousins- 
german of the Sultan, one of them being the Commander-in-Chief 
of the array. He gave me an account of the affair of the Dale. 
Some years ago two Yankee whalers came in. One of them ob- 
tained provisions to the amount of two hundred and fifty dollars, 
telling the people he was too poor to pay for them in money, but 
that he would give them a bill on the Consul at Zanzibar. To this 
they assented ; the skipper then ran off with his ship in the night, 
without giving the bill. They seized the other Captain and took 
him on shore, to keep him as a hostage while his ship should go 
in pursuit of the runaway and get the promised bill. But they 
thought better of it in a few hours, and released him. The Dale 
came the next season and demanded twenty-five thousand dollars, 
threatening to burn the town if the money was not paid. They 
could not pay them, there being ppobably not so much money in 



226 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

the island. The Yankees then set fire to one end of the town, 
cannonaded the fort, doing some damage, and withdrew. This is 
about the usual origin of Yankee shipmasters' complaints to their 
government. I made a present of a captured Yankee clock to 
each of the princes, and gave them a package of writing-paper. 
They seemed anxious to get some finery for their wives, but I told 
them we were not in that line, like Yankee whalers. 

Saturday, February \Zth. — Visited the town agaiu to-day. 
Called at the houses of a couple of the princes, in which I found 
everything dirty, with an attempt at tawdry finery. A black houri 
was set to fan me. We were served with rose syrup. Walked 
to the prince's garden — a beautiful wilderness of cocoa and betel 
nuts, sweet orange and mango, with heterogeneous patches of rice, 
sweet potatoes and beans, and here and there a cotton plant. Two 
or three slave huts were dotted about, and walls of loose stones 
ran along crooked lanes and bye- ways. As we came off, some of 
the inhabitants were at evening prayer, and others preparing to 
take their evening meal. People met us everywhere with kindly 
greetings, and the Cadi, a venerable-looking old man, wished me a 
safe return to my own country. 

Sunday, February 14th. — Visited in force again to-day by the 
princes, and other chief men. In the afternoon the high-priest 
visited me. He was a fine-looking man — Arab by descent — 
with a well-developed forehead, and easy, gentlemanly bearing. 
He wore a sword, and was evidently looked upon with great 
respect by his attendants. He expressed much sympathy with 
our cause, and said he would pray to Allah for our success. 
The Yankee whalers, he said, invariably stole some of their slaves. 
Said they could not do very well without the whalers, as they 
were the only traders to the island, and brought them many use- 
ful things. 

Monday, February 15 th. — Received on board some bullocks 
and fruit ; paid our bills, and were taken leave of affectionately 
by the simple people. At meridian moved out of the anchorage 
under steam, amid the cheers, given in real English fashion, by 
the many boatmen that surrounded us. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 227 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

" Man overboard /" — Blowing hard — Tliree Years — Wearing out^The 
Cape again — Seizure of the Tuscaloosa — Towards Europe — War 
News — What the Alabama effected — Case of the Rockingham— The last 
capture — The Tycoon — Nineteen overhauled — In the Channel — At 
Cherbourg. 

From the middle to the 28th February there was but little ex- 
citement on board the Alabama. On that day the usual routine 
of life on a man-of-war was broken by the cry of " Man over- 
board." The vessel was at once hove to, but before a boat could 
be lowered a gallant fellow, Michael Mars, leapt overboard, and 
swimming to the rescue of his shipmate, fortunately succeeded in 
saving the man's life. 

On the third of March they saw the first Cape Pigeon and 
Albatross, and on the 4th Captain Semmes writes as follows : — 

The gale still continues, though moderating very fast ; sea not 
so turbulent, though the surf is thundering into it now and then, 
and keeping the decks flooded. 'Tis three years to-day since I 
parted with my family in Washington, on the day in which Wash- 
ington's great republic was humiliated by the inauguration as 
President of a vulgar democratic politician, in whom even the 
great events in which, by a singular destiny, he has been called to 
take a part, have not been able to sink the mountebank. These 
three years of anxiety, vigilance, exposure, and excitement, have 
made me an old man, and sapped my health, rendering repose 
necessary, if I would prolong my life. My ship is wearing out, 
too, as well as her commander, and will need a general overhaul- 
ing by the time I can get her into dock. If my poor services be 
deemed of any importance in harassing and weakening the enemy, 
and thus contributing to the independence of my beloved South, 
I shall be amply rewarded. 

The Alabama still kept on through gales, with creaking cord- 
age and jerking tiller ropes, until on the 11th of March the Cape 
was sighted, off which they were knocked about until the 20th 
instant; lying in the track of vessels bounding before the gale at 
the rate of ten or twelve knots an hour, and only able to see them 
when within a mile of the ship. 

Arrived in Table Bay, Captain Semmes received intelligence of 



228 CRUISE OF THE AL A J!JAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

the seizure of the Tuscaloosa, upon which he at once wrote a de- 
spatch to Admiral Walker.* 

The Cape was left on the 25th of March, the vessel's head be- 
ing laid towards Europe, and on the 29th the following entry is 
found in the journal : — 

"I have at length had a little leisure to read the late papers re- 
ceived at the Cape. The Yankee Government and people, and 
with them a great portion of the English press and people, seem 
to have jumped suddenly to the conclusion that we are beaten, 
and that the war must soon end by our submission ! Mr. Lincoln 
has even gone so far as to prescribe the terms on which our States 
may re-enter the rotten " concern" — to wit, by a reorganization of 
the States government by one-tenth of the people. Verily, the 
delusion of these men in the matter of this war is unaccountable. 
No power on earth can subjugate the Southern States, although 
some of them have been guilty of the pusillanimity of making 
war with the Yankees against their sisters. History will brand 
them as traitors and cowards. As for the tone of the English 
press, I am not surprised at it. England is too rich to be gene- 
rous. Our war for her is a sort of prize-fight, and she is looking 
on in about the same spirit with which her people lately viewed 
the prize fight between King and Heenan. Hurrah one ; well 
done the other." 

From March 29th to April 22d there were no events calling for 
special attention, save that on the sixteenth the intelligence was 
learned from the master of a French ship that there were no 
American vessels at the Chincha Islands, though in July, 1863, 
there were between seventy and eighty American sail there. This 
speaks volumes of the terror the Alabama had excited. 

The night of the 22d of April was employed in giving chase to 
a strange sail, which was overhauled at daybreak on the following 
morning ; and the United States flag having been responded to by 
a display of the same colours, the Alabama boarded and took pos- 
session of the guano-laden ship, Rockingham, which was employed 
as a target, and then set fire to. The cargo being claimed as the 
property of neutrals, Captain Semmes examined the ship's papers 
and entered the following in his journal : — 

CASE OF THE ROCKINGHAM. 

" Ship under United States colours and register. Is from Calla#, 
* For papers relating to the seizure of this vessel, see Appendix. 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 229 

bound to Cork for orders, and loaded with gnano. This guano 
purports to be shipped by the Guano Consignment Company to 
Great Britain. One Joseph A. Danino, who signs for Danino and 
Moscosa, certifies that the guano belongs to the Peruvian Govern- 
ment ; and Her Britannic Majesty's Acting Consul at Lima certi- 
fies that the said Joseph A. Danino appeared before him and 
* voluntarily declared' ' that the foregoing signature is of his own 
handwriting, and also that the cargo above mentioned is truly and 
verily the property of the Peruvian Government.' 

" As this is the only certificate of the neutrality of the cargo 
among the papers, and as nobody swears to anything in this certi- 
ficate, there is no testimony at all. The ship being enemy's pro- 
perty, and the cargo being presumed to be enemy's property also, 
from being found on board the ship, it was incumbent on the neu- 
tral parties, if there are any such in the case, to have documented 
their property by sworn certificates; and this rule of law is so 
well known, that the absence of an oath would seem to be conclu- 
sive as to the fraudulent attempt to cover. Ship and cargo con- 
demned." 

This capture was followed by that of the Tycoon, on the 27th 
of the same month ; and as no claim of neutrality of cargo was 
made, the ship was burned. This, as it afterwards turned out, was 
the last of the Alabama's prizes. Nineteen other vessels were 
overhauled before she reached Cherbourg, but not one of them 
sailed under the Stars and Stripes. When it is remembered that 
no less than sixty-five American ships had been taken by the gal- 
lant cruiser, it is not much to be wondered at that the Yankee 
flag was a vara avis on the high seas. 

From the 25th of May to the 10th of June the Alabama was 
making her way north, and on the last-named date she was abreast 
of the Lizard, and was boarded by a Channel pilot " I felt," 
writes Captain Semmes, " great relief to have him on board, as I 
was quite knocked up with cold and fever, and was too ill-qualified 
physically for exposure to the weather and watching through the 
night. And thus, thanks to an all-wise Providence, we have 
brought the cruise of the Alabama to a successful termination." 

Little could Captain Semmes have imagined, when he penned 
these lines, that the cruising days of his vessel were so soon to end. 
The vessel entered Cherbourg on the morning of the 11th. Two 
days after news was received that the Kearsarge would shortly ar- 
rive there, intelligence which was confirmed next day by the ap- 
pearance of that vessel. 



230 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 



CHAPTER XXXVI. 

The Kearsarge — Preparations — Hie iron-clad — State of the Alabama -~ 
Out of the harbour — The Deerhound — The Captain's address — Ar- 
maments of the combatants — Plan of action — The engagement — 
Rapid fire — Badly wounded — Sinking — The end of the Alabama 
— In the water — Gallant conduct — Surgeon Llewellyn — Tlie Deer- 
hound to the rescue — The enemy s boats — Not a wrack — The inform- 
ing spirit. 

It was written that the Alabama was never to behold the ports of 
her country ! 

The latest entries in the diary of Captain Semmes are of an 
interest too great to permit us to exclude them, prior to the nar- 
ration of the memorable duel which closes the history of a vessel 
whose renown, short as her career has been, may challenge that 
of any ship that has spread a sail upon the waters, and casts a 
lustre even upon the heroic history of the Confederate States. 

On Tuesday, June 14th, Captain Semmes writes: — 

" Great excitement on board, the Kearsarge having made her 
appearance off the eastern entrance of the breakwater, at 
about 11 a.m. Sent an order on shore immediately for coal (one 
hundred tons), and sent down the yards on the mizen-mast, and 
the topgallant yards, and otherwise preparing the ship for action. 

" Wednesday, June \5th. — The Admiral sent off his aide to say 
that he considered my application for repairs withdrawn upon 
my making application for coal, to which I assented. We com- 
menced coaling this afternoon. The Kearsarge is still in the of- 
fing; she has not been permitted to receive on board the prisoners 
landed by me, to which I had objected in a letter to the Admiral. 
Mailed a note yesterday afternoon for Flagofficer Barrow, inform- 
ing him of my intention to go out to engage the enemy as soon 
as I could make my preparations, and sent a written notice to the 
U.S. consul, through Mr. Bonfils, to the same effect. My crew 
seems to be in the right spirit, a quiet spirit of determination per- 
vading both officers and men. The combat will no doubt be con- 
tested and obstinate; but the two ships are so equally matched, I 
do not feel at liberty to decline it. God defend the right, and have 
mercy upon the souls of those who fall, as many of us must !" 

It has been denied that the captain of the Kearsarge sent a 
challenge to the Alabama. Captain Semmes, indeed, says nothing 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 231 

of it himself. What the Kearsarge did — and with a particular ob- 
ject, there cannot be a doubt — was, as recorded, to enter the 
breakwater at the east end, and "at about 11 a.m., on Tuesday, 
she passed through the west end without anchoring" These are 
the words of a French naval captain, who speaks of what he saw. 
Few will deny that among brave men this would be considered 
something equivalent to a challenge. It was more than a chal- 
lenge — it was a defiance. The officer we have quoted adds, that 
" anyone could then see her outside protection." It is easy to see 
everything after the event. The Kearsarge looked bulky in her 
middle section to an inspecting eye ; but she was very low in the 
water, and that she was armed to resist shot and shell it was im- 
possible to discern. It is distinctly averred by the officers of the 
Alabama that from, their vessel the armour of the Kearsarge 
could not be distinguished. There were many reports abroad that 
she was protected on her sides in some peculiar way ; but all 
were various and indistinct, and to a practical judgment untrust- 
worthy. Moreover, a year previous to this meeting, the Kearsarge 
had lain at anchor close under the critical eye of Captain Sem- 
mes. He had on that occasion seen that his enemy was not arti- 
ficially defended. He believes now that the reports of her plating 
and armour were so much harbour-gossip, of which during his 
cruises he had experienced enough. 

Now the Kearsarge was an old enemy, constantly in pursuit, 
and her appearance produced, as Captain Semmes has written, 
great excitement on board the Alabama. And let us here call at- 
tention to what the officers and men of the illustrious Confederate 
ship had been enduring for the space of two years. During all this 
time they had been homeless, and without a prospect of reaching 
home. They had been constantly crowded with prisoners, who 
devoured their provender — of which they never had any but a pre- 
carious supply. Their stay in any neutral harbour was necessarily 
short as the perching of a hawk on a bough. Like the hawk's in 
upper air, the Alabama's safety as well as her business was on the 
high seas. Miserably fed, hunted, eluding, preying, destroying — 
is this a life that brave men would willingly have to be continuous ? 
They were fortified by the assurance of a mighty service done to 
their country. They knew that they inflicted tremendous damage 
upon their giant foe. They were, perhaps, supported by the sense 
that their captain's unrivalled audacity had done more harm to the 
United States than the operations of many thousand men. But 
their days were wretched ; their task was sickening ; it demands 
an imagination that can fix its eye upon stern, barren duty as a 
planet never darkened, always visible, for such a life as this to be 



232 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

carried on uncomplainingly and without a passionate longing 
for the bare exercise of hard blows. In addition, they read of the 
reproaches heaped upon them by comfortable shore-men. They 
were called pirates, and other gloomy titles. The execrations of 
certain of the French and English, and of all the United States 
press, sounded in their ears across the ocean ; but from their own 
country they heard little. The South was a sealed land in com- 
parison with the rest of the world. Opinion spoke loudest in Eu- 
rope, and though they knew that they were faithfully, gallantly, 
and marvellously serving their country in her sore need, the ab- 
scence of any immediate comfort, either physical or moral, helped 
to make them keenly sensitive to virulent criticism, even to that 
of avowed and clamorous enemies. 

It was this state of mind through the whole crew which caused 
the excitement on board the Alabama when the Kearsarge steamed 
in and out of the breakwater. Now, and at last, our day of ac- 
tion has come ! was the thought of every man on board. The 
chivalrous give and take of battle was glorious to men who had 
alternately hunted and fled for so dreary a term. They trusted for 
victory ; but defeat itself was to be a vindication of their whole 
career, and they welcomed the chances gladly. 

The application for coal at a neutral port was in itself a renun- 
ciation of any further hospitality from the harbour, as Captain 
Semmes was aware. The Port-admiral contented himself with 
pointing it out to him. A duel is not an unpopular thing in 
France. The prospective combat of two apparently equally-match- 
ed ships of war would have been sufficient to have melted any 
scruples entertained by Frenchmen in authority ; they were only 
too happy to assist towards an engagement between Federals and 
Confederates, the latter being as popular in France as in England, 
to say nothing for the sympathy excited for the Alabama. French 
officers agreed with Captain Semmes in thinking that there was 
marked offence and defiance in the manoeuvres of the Kearsarge, 
and that he could hardly do less than go out and meet her. We 
have done our best to show that the Captain, whether in his heart 
he felt the mere chances to be equal or not, was anxious to per- 
suade himself that they were so. He knew his opponent to be 
the heavier in ship, battery, and crew, but " I did not know that 
she was also iron-clad," he says. Personally he desired the battle ; 
the instigations of an enthusiastic crew, unanimous for action, as 
also of friendly foreign officers, are to be taken into account. 
Those who venture, now that we are enabled to measure by results, 
to cast blame upon him, should first, in justice, throw themselves 
into his position. President Davis may deplore the loss of a 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 233 

vessel that did a mighty service, but we doubt not that he will en- 
dorse the honourable words of Mr. Mason in his justification of 
Captain Semmes, and rejoice that the man who was the ship, is 
saved for further service to the Confederacy. 

On Sunday, in the morning, being the 19th June, the Alabama 
steamed out of Cherbourg harbour by the opening to the west, 
and steered straight to meet the Kearsarge, accompanied by the 
French iron-clad La Couronne. The late foul weather had given 
way to a gentle breeze, and the subsiding swell of the Atlantic 
wave under a clear sky made the day eminently favourable for the 
work in hand. All Cherbourg was on the heights above the town 
and along the bastions and the mole. Never did knightly tourna- 
ment boast a more eager multitude of spectators. It chanced 
fortunately that an English steam-yacht, the Deerhound, with 
its owner, Mr. John Lancaster, and his family, on board, was in 
harbour at the time. The Deerhound followed the Alabama at a 
respectful distance, and was the closest witness of the fight. Some 
French pilot-boats hung as near as they considered prudent. At 
the limit of neutral waters the Alabama parted company with her 
escort, and the Couronne returned to within a league of the shore. 

Left to herself at last, the Alabama made her final preparations 
for the coming struggle. Mustering all his ship's company upon 
the deck, Captain Semmes addressed them as follows : — 

" Officers and Seamen of the Alabama : 

"You have, at length, another opportunity of meeting the 
enemy — the first that has been presented to you since you sunk 
the Hatteras ! In the meantime, you have been all over the 
world, and it is not too much to say that you have destroyed, and 
driven for protection under neutral flags, one-half of the enemy's 
commerce, which, at the beginning of the war, covered every sea. 
This is an achievement of which you may well be proud ; and a 
grateful country will not be unmindful of it. The name of your 
ship has become a household word wherever civilization extends. 
Shall that name be tarnished by defeat ? The thing is impossible ! 
Remember that you are in the English Channel, the theatre of so 
much of the naval glory of our race, and that the eyes of all Eu- 
rope are at this moment upon you. The flag that floats over you 
is that of a young republic, which bids defiance to her enemy's, 
whenever and wherever found. Show the world that you know 
how to uphold it. Go to your quarters."* 

* The above is a correct report of Captain Semmes' address on this oc- 
casion. Various statements have appeared as to the way in which it waa 

11 



234 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

It took three-quarters of an hour for the Alabama to come 
within range of the Kearsarge. At the distance of one mile, the 
Alabama opened fire with solid shot. The Kearsarge took time 
to reply. After ten minutes the firing was sharp on both sides. 

According to the statement of the Captain of the Kearsarge, 
her battery consisted of seven guns — to wit, two 11-inch Dahl- 
grens — very powerful pieces of ordnance ; four 32-pounders, one 
light rifle 28-pounder. She went into action with a crew of 162 
officers and men. 

The armament of the Alabama consisted of one 7-inch Blakeley 
rifled gun, one 8-inch smooth-bore pivot gun, six 32-pounders, 
smooth-bore, in broadside. The Alabama's crew numbered not 
more than 120. On this head Captain Winslow speaks erroneously. 
He sets down the Alabama's crew at 150 officers and men. The 
Alabama had a formidable piece in the Blakeley rifled gun, but 
she was destitute of steel shot. 

It will thus be seen that there was inequality between the 
antagonists. Captain Winslow speaks of the Alabama having 
"one gun more" than the Kearsarge. His two great Dahlgrens 
gave the balance altogether in his favour. But in an estimate of 
the rival capabilities of the two vessels, the deteriorated speed of 
the Alabama should be considered as her principal weakness. 
Cherbourg had done little to repair the copper of her bottom, 
which spread out in broad fans and seriously impeded her cut- 
ting of the water ; and it had been found impossible to do more 
than to patch up the boilers for the day's business. They were not 
in a state to inspire the engineers with confidence. The Kear- 
sarge, on the other hand, was in first rate condition and well in 
hand. She speedily showed that she could overhaul the Alabama. 
In fact, the Alabama entered the lists when she should have been 
lying in dock. She fought with an exhausted frame. She had 
the heroism to decide upon the conflict, without the strength to 
choose the form of it. After some little manoeuvring this became 
painfully evident to Captain Semmes. The Kearsarge selected her 
distance at a range of five hundred yards, and being well protected 
she deliberately took time and fired with sure effect. 

Captain Semmes had great confidence in the power of his 
Blakeley rifled gun, and we believe it is a confidence not shaken 
by its failure to win the day for him. He wished to get within 
easy range of his enemy, that he might try this weapon effectively; 

received. Captain Semmes states, ,( The only replies that were made were 
shouts from the seamen of ' Never ! never 1' when I spoke of the name of 
their ship being tarnished by defeat." 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 235 

but any attempt on his part to come to closer quarters was con- 
strued by the Kearsarge as a design to bring the engagement be- 
tween the ships to a hand-to-hand conflict between the men. 
Having the speed, she chose her distance, and made all thought 
of boarding hopeless. 

It was part of the plan of Captain Semmes to board, if possible, 
at some period of the day, supposing that he could not quickly de- 
cide the battle with artillery. It was evidently Captain Winslow's 
determination to avoid the old-fashioned form of a naval encoun- 
ter, and to fight altogether in the new style; his superior steam 
power gave him the option. When the Alabama took her death- 
wound she was helpless. We must interpret the respectful distance 
maintained by the Kearsarge up to the very last, and the persist- 
ent plying of her guns while the side of the sinking ship was visi- 
ble, as a settled resolution on Captain Winslow's part to trust to 
guns alone, and throughout, so that a dangerous proximity might 
be shunned. That much homage was paid by him to the hostile 
crew, and that his manoeuvre was creditably discreet, few will 
deny. 

The crew of the Alabama, seamen and officers, were in high 
spirits throughout the, engagement, though very early the slaugh- 
ter set in and the decks were covered with blood. Their fire was 
rapid and admirable. It has been said in the House of Lords by 
no less a person than the Duke of Somerset, that her firing was 
positively bad ; and that she hit the Kearsarge only three times 
during the action. By Captain Winslow's own admission the Kear- 
sarge was hit twenty -eight times by shot and shell — or once to 
every fifth discharge. No seaman knowing anything of an actual 
engagement on the deep will object to the accuracy of such an 
aim. «Had the Kearsarge shown the same blank sides as the 
Alabama, another tale might have been told. Captain Semmes, 
however, perceived that his shell rebounded after striking her, and 
exploded harmlessly. This led him to rely upon solid shot. The 
Alabama, not being thus or in any way shielded, was pierced with 
shell, and soon showed vast rents in her after-part. Her pivot-gun 
was a distinct mark for the enemy, and a single shell exploding 
near it killed and wounded half the number of men by whom it 
was worked. Each ship fought her starboard broadside, and steam- 
ed in a circle to keep that side to the enemy. So, for an hour, 
this, to a distant spectator, monotonous manoeuvre continued, 
without perceptibly narrowing the range. Captain Semmes was 
standing on the quarter-deck when the chief engineer sent word 
to say that the ship was endangered by leakage. The first lieu- 
tenant, Mr. Kell, was sent below to inspect the damage. He re- 



236 CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 

■ 
turned with word that the ship was sinking. Captain Semmes at 
once ordered the ship to be put about and steered towards shore. 
But the water was rising in her : the fires were speedily extin- 
guished. The Alabama's shot from slackening had now ceased. 
It was evident to all on board that she was doomed. To have 
continued firing would have been to indulge a sfupid rancour, and 
to act in such a manner is not in the nature of a seaman like Cap- 
tain Semmes. On the contrary, his thoughts were directed to- 
wards saving the lives of his crew. He gave command for the 
Confederate flag to be hauled down. 

Many wild stories are being told of something like a mutiny 
of the crew at this desecration of the Southern banner ; of how 
they implored the Captain to spare them the disgrace of it; 
and of a certain .quartermaster drawing his cutlass, daring any 
hand on board to haul down the flag, and being dramatically 
threatened with a loaded pistol by Mr. Kell, the First Lieutenant, 
and so brought to his senses. The fact is, that the flag came down 
quietly and decorously. All on board perceived that there was no 
help for it, and that it would be a shocking breach of humanity to 
imperil the lives of the wounded men. 

The general detestation of the Yankee Mas yet more strongly 
instanced when the men were struggling for life in the water. The 
head of every man was pointed away, as if instinctively, from the 
vessel that stood nearest to rescue him. One who was hailed from 
the Kearsarge with the offer of a rescue, declined it civilly, and 
made his way for the neutral flag. The men swam as if they had 
still an enemy behind them, and not one that was ready to save. 
Tardy as were the boats of the Kearsarge in descending to per- 
form this office, they found many of the poor fellows still painfully 
supporting themselves above the surface. Of these, both men and 
officers, when, after being hauled into the boats, they had dashed 
the blinding salt water from their eyes and discovered among 
whom they were, many sprang overboard again, preferring any 
risk to the shelter of the Federalists. Hatred to the flag of the 
old Union and love of their Captain appear to have been their 
chief active passions. When taken on board the Deerhound, the 
question as to the safety of Captain Semmes was foremost in every 
mouth. 

Captain Semmes asserts that shots were fired at the Alabama 
after the signal of surrender. We will not attempt to substantiate 
a charge like this :. but French officers maintain it to be an unde- 
niable fact that, after the Confederate flag had been lowered, the 
Kearsarge fired no less than five shots into her. We believe that 
Captain Winslow does not deny the charge ; but asserts that he 



CRUISE OF THE ALABAMA AND THE SUMTER. 237 

was unaware of the act of surrender. In his letter to the Daily 
JVews, he declares the accusation that he had been guilty of this 
act to be "twaddle" (we quote his own phrase). 

The master's mate of the Alabama, Mr. Fullam, was despatched 
in the dingey to the Kearsarge with a request that assistance 
might immediately be given in rescuing the lives of the wounded 
men. It was promised, but the fulfilment of the promise, owing, 
as we trust it may be proved, to circumstances incidental to 
the fight, was, as we have said, tardy. Captain Winslow ex- 
pressed himself in kindly terms with regard to his old shipmate 
in the days when the Union was not a mockery of its name; 
Captain Semmes having served with him in the same vessel 
many years back. During Mr. Fullam's absence the Alabama 
had gone down stern foremost. All the wounded had been 
stretched in the whale-boat for transmission to the Kearsarge. 
The surgeon of the Alabama, an Englishman, Mr. David Herbert 
Llewellyn, son of an incumbent of a Wiltshire parsonage, and god- 
son of the late Lord Herbert of Lea, was offered a place in this 
boat. He refused it, saying that he would not peril the wounded 
men, and he sank with the Alabama. The rest of the crew, with 
their captain, were already in the waves. Mr. Lancaster meantime 
had steamed up to the Kearsarge, requesting permission to assist 
in saving life, and he was soon among them, throwing lines from 
the yacht, and picking up many exhausted men in his boats. The 
loss of men by drowning was nineteen, including an officer (Mr. 
Llewellyn), carpenter, and assistant-engineer. The loss in killed 
and wounded was twenty-eight, of whom seven were killed. Not 
a wrack of the Alabama was secured by the victors in this me- 
morable sea-fight. The captain and his officers dropped their 
swords into the deep ; the men drove their oars into the bottoms 
of the boats. One spirit — the spirit of the unconquerable Confede- 
ration of the Southern States — animated all. Not a man who was 
able to support himself in the water, swam towards the Kearsarge. 

So sank the Alabama. It would have been glorious for her to 
have won, but it was not disgraceful that the day went against her. 
She fought against odds such as brave commanders are not in the 
habit of declining ; she fought to the water's edge. An end like 
this, and the splendid antecedents she points to, have made her 
name and that of her captain household words. Her flag has been 
indeed a "meteor flag," and that it shall "yet terrific burn" we 
may reckon. to be probable, when it is remembered that the in- 
forming spirit, of which the good vessel was but the gross body, is 
alive, and prepared once more to offer himself to the land of his 
choice for service upon the seas. 



APPENDIX. 



No. I. 

CAPTURES OF THE SUMTER. 

Abby Bradford — Of New York, from New York to Puerto Ca- 
ballo. Captured 25th July, 1861, N.E. of Laguayra, Ven- 
ezuela. 

Sent to New Orleans. Recaptured by enemy. 

Albert Adams — Of Massachusetts. Captured 5th July, 1861, 
four leagues off Cienfuegos. 

Sent to Cienfuegos. Released by Captain-General of Cuba. 

Arcade — Of Maine, from Portland, Maine, to Guadaloupe. 
Captured 26th November, 1861, in lat. 20° 27' N., long. 
57° 15' W. 
Burned. 

Ben Dunning — Of Maine. Captured 5th July, 1861, four 
leagues off Cienfuegos. 

Sent to Cienfuegos. Released by Captain-General of Cuba. 

Cuba — Of Maine, from Trinidad to English ports. Captured 
4th July, 1861, in lat. 21° 29' N., long. 84° 06' W. 
Sent to Cienfuegos. Retaken by enemy. 

Daniel Trowbridge — Of Connecticut, from New York to Dem- 
erara. Captured 27th October, 1861, in lat. 17° 54' N., 
long. 56° 30' W. 
Burned. 



24:0 APPENDIX, NO. I. 

Ebenezer Dodge — Of Massachusetts, from New Bedford to South 
Pacific (whaling). Captured 8th December, 1861, in lat. 
30° 57' N., long. 51° 49' W. 
Burned. 

Golden Rocket — Of Bangor, Maine. Captured 3d July, 1861, in 
lat. 21° 29' N., long. 84° 06' W. Valued at $35,000. 
Burned. 

Investigator — Of Maine, from Spain to Newport, "Wales. Cap- 
tured 18th January, 1862, in Straits of Gibraltar. Valued 
at $15,000, 

Released on ransom bond. 

Joseph Maxwell — Of Pennsylvania. Captured 27th July, 1861, 
seven miles from Puerto Caballo. 

Sent to Cienfuegos. Released by Governor-General of Cuba. 

Joseph Parkes — Of Massachusetts, from Pernambuco to Boston. 
Captured 25th September, 1861, in lat. 6° 20' N., long. 42° 
24' W. 
Burned. 

Louisa Eilham — Of Massachusetts. Captured 6th July, 1861, 
five miles from Cienfuegos. 

Sent to Cienfuegos. Released by Captain-General of Cuba. 

Machias — Of Maine, from Trinidad to an English port. Cap- 
tured 4th July, 1861, in lat. 21° 29' N., long. 84° 06' W. 
Sent to Cienfuegos. Released by Captain-General of Cuba. 

Montmorency — Of Maine, from Newport, Wales, to St. Thomas. 
Captured 25th November, 1861, in lat. 18° 30' N., long. 
58° 40' W. Valued at $20,000. 
Released under ransom bond. 

Naiad — Of New York. Captured 6th July, 1861, five miles 
from Cienfuegos. 

Sent to Cienfuegos. Released by Captain-General of Cuba. 

Neapolitan — Of Massachusetts, from Messina to Boston. Cap- 
tured 18th January, 1862, in Straits of Gibraltar. 
Burned. 



241 

Vigilans — Of Maine, from New York to Island of Sombrero. 
Captured 3d December, 1861, in lat. 29° 10' N., long. 57° 
22' W. Valued at $40,000. 
Burned. 

West Wind— Of Khode Island. Captured 6th July, 1861, five 
miles off Cienfuegos. 

Sent to Cienfuegos. Released by Captain-General of Cuba. 



CAPTURES OF THE ALABAMA. 

Alert — Of New London, from New London to the Indian Ocean 
(whaling). Captured 9th September, 1862, off Flores. 
Valued at $20,000. 
Burned. 

Altamaha — Of New Bedford, from New Bedford (whaling). 
Captured 13th September, 1862, in lat. 40° 34' N., 25° 24' 
W. Valued at $3,000. 
Burned. 

Amanda — Of United States, from Manilla to Queenstown. 
Captured 6th November, 1863, in lat. 7° 00' S., long. 103° 
19' E. Valued at $104,442. 
Burned. 

Amazonian — Of New York, from New York to Monte Video. 
Captured 2d June, 1863, in lat. 15° 09', long. 55° 04'. Val- 
ued at $97,665. 
Burned. 

Anna F. Schmidt — Of Maine, from Boston (via St. Thomas) 
to San Francisco. Captured 2d July, 1863, in lat. 26° 14', 
long. 37° 51'. Valued at $350,000. 
Burned. 

Ariel — Of New York, from New York to Aspinwall. Cap- 
tured 7th Dec, 1862, off Cape Maize. Valued at $261,000. 
Released on bond. 
11* 



242 APPENDIX, NO. I. 

Baron de Gastine — Of Castine, from Bangor to Cardenas. Cap- 
tured 29th October, 1862, in lat. about 39° 18' N., long. 
/ about 69° 12' W. Valued at $6,000. 
Released on bond. 

Benjamin Tucker — Of New Bedford, from New Bedford (whal- 
ing). Captured 14th September, 1862, off Flores. Valued 
at $18,000. 
Burned. 

Bethia Thayer — Of Maine. Captured 1st March, 1863, in lat. 
29° 50' N., long. 38° 31' W. Valued at $40,000. 
Released on bond. 

Brilliant — Of New York, from New York to Liverpool. Cap- 
tured 3d October, 1862, in lat. 39° 58' N., long. 50° 00' W. 
Valued at $164,000. 
Burned. 

Charles Hill — Of Boston, from Liverpool to Monte Video. 
Captured 25th March, 1863, in lat. 1° 22', long. 26° 08'. 
Valued at $28,450. 
Burned. 

Chastelaine — Of Boston, from Martinique to Cienfuegos. Cap- 
tured 27th January, 1863, in lat. 17° 19' N., long. 72° 21' 
W. Valued at $10,000. 
Burned. 

Contest— Of the United States, from Yokohama, Japan, to New 
York. Captured 11th November, 1863, in lat. 4° 48' S., 
long. 106° 49' E. Valued at $122,815. 
Burned. 

Courser — Of Province Town, from Province Town (whaling). 
Captured 16th September, 1862, off Flores. Valued at 
$7,000. 
Burned. 

Crenshaw — Of New York, from New York to Glasgow. Cap- 
tured 26th October, 1862, in lat. 40° 11' N., long. 64° 32' 
_W. Valued at $33,869. 
Burned. 



APPENDIX, NO. I. 243 

Dorcas Prince — Of New York, from New York to Shanghai. 
Captured 26th April, 1862, in lat. 7° 36', long. 31° 57'. 
Valued at $44,108. 
Burned. 

Dunkirk — Of New York, from New York to Lisbon. Cap- 
tured 7th October, 1862, in lat. about 41° 00' N., long. 53°. 
Valued at $25,000. 
Burned. 

Elisha Dunbar — Of New Bedford, from New Bedford (whal- 
ing). Captured 18th September, 1862, in lat. 39° 50' N., 
long. S5° m 25' W. Valued at $25,000. 
Burned. 

Emily Farnum — Of New York, from New York to Liverpool. 
Captured 3d October, 1862, in lat. 39° 58' N., long. 50° 00' 
W. 

Neutral cargo. Released and made a Cartel. 

Emma Jane — Of Maine, from Bombay to Amherst (in ballast) . 
Captured 14th January, 1864, in lat. 7° 57' S., long. 76° 09' 
W. Valued at $40,000. 
Burned. 

Express — Of Callao, from Callao to Antwerp. Captured 6th 
July, 1863, in lat. 28° 28', long. 30° 20 . Valued at $121,300. 
Burned. 

Gildersliene — Of London, from Sunderland to Calcutta. Cap- 
tured 25th May, 1863, in lat. 12° 04', long. 35° 10'. Val- 
ued at $62,783. 
Burned. 

Golden Eagle — Of United States, from San Francisco (via How- 
land's Island) to Cork. Captured 21st February, 1863, in 
lat. 29° 28' N., long. 44° 58' W. Valued at $61,000. 
Burned. 

Golden Rule — Of New York, from New York to Aspinwall. 
Captured 26th January, 1863, off Jamaica. Valued at 
$112,000. 
Burned. 



244 APPENDIX, NO. I. 

Hatteras — Of United States Navy, gun-boat. Sunk 11th Janu- 
ary, 1863, off Galveston. Valued at $160,000. 
Sunk. 

Highlander — Of the United States, from Singapore to Aycaab 
(in ballast). Captured 26th December, 1863. Valued at 
$75,965. 
Burned. 

Jabez Snow — Of Cardiff, from Cardiff to Monte Video. Cap- 
tured 29th May, 1863, in lat. 12° 54', long. 35° 18'. Val- 
ued at $72,881. 
Burned. 

John A. Parks — Of Maine, from New York to Monte Video. 
Captured 2d March, 1863, in lat. 29° 25' N., long. 37° 47' 
W. Valued at $66,157. 
Burned. 

Justina — Of the United States, Captured 25th May, 1863, in 
lat. 12° 04', long. 35° 10'. Valued at $7,000. 
Ransomed. 

Kate Cory — Of "Westport (whaler). Captured 15th April, 
1863, in lat. 4° 08', long. 32° 01'. Valued at $10,568. 
Burned. 

Kingfisher — Of Massachusetts, from Fair Haven (on whaling 
expedition). Captured 23d March, 1863, in lat. 2° 08' N., 
long. 26° 08' W. Valued at $2,400. 
Burned. 

Lafayette (1)— Of New York, from New York to Belfast. 
Captured 23d October, 1862, in lat. 39° 34' N., long. 63° 
26' W. Valued at $110,337. 
Burned. 

Lafayette (2)— Of New Bedford (whaler). Captured 15th 
April, 1863, in lat. 4° 08', long. 32° 01. Valued at 
$20,908. 
Burned. 

Lamplighter — Of Boston, from New York to Gibraltar. Cap- 



APPENDIX, NO. I. 245 

tared 15th October, 1862, in lat. 41° 32' N., long. 54° 17' 
W. Valued at $117,600. 
Burned. 

Lauretta — Of Boston, from New York to Madeira and Medi- 
terranean. Captured 28th October. 1862, in lat. 39° 18' N., 
long. 67° 35' W. Valued at $32,880. 
Burned. 

Levi Starbuck — Of New Bedford, from New Bedford to the Pa- 
cific (whaling). Captured 2d November, 1862. in lat. 36° 
13' N., long. 6Q° 01' W. Valued at $25,000. 
Burned. 

Louisa Hatch — Of Rockland, from Cardiff to Point de Galle. 
Captured 4th April, 1863, in lat. 3° 12', long. 26° 9'. Val- 
ued at $38,315. 
Burned. 

Manchester — Of New York, from New York to Liverpool. 
Captured 11th October, 1862, in lat. 41° 08' N., long. 55° 
26' W. Valued at $164,000. 
Burned. 

Morning Star — Of Boston, from Calcutta to London. Captured 
23d March, 1863, in lat. 2° 08' N., long. 26° 08' W. 
Valued at $61,750. 
Released on bond. 

Nora — Of Boston, from Boston to Calcutta. Captured 25th 
March, 1863, in lat. 1° 22', long. 26° 08'. Valued at $76,- 
636. 

Burned. 

Nye — Of New Bedford, from New Bedford (whaling barque). 
Captured 24th April, 1863, in lat. 5° 45', long. 31° 53'. 
Valued at $31,127. 
Burned. 

Ocean Mover — Of Massachusetts, from Massachusetts (out whal- 
ing). Captured 8th September, 1862, off Flores. Valued 
at $70,000. 
Burned. 



24:6 APPENDIX, NO. I. 

Ocmulgee — Of Edgartowu. Captured 5th September, 1862, 
in about lat 37° 20' N., long. 28° 08' W. Valued at 
$50,000. 
Burned. 

Olive Jane — Of the United States, from Bordeaux to New 
York. Captured 21st February, 1863, in lat., 29° 28' N., 
long. 44° 58' W. Valued at $43,208. 
Burned. 

Palmetto — Of New York, from New York to St. John's, Porto 
Rico. Captured 3d February, 1863, in lat. 27° 18' N., 
long. 6° 16' W. Valued at $18,430. 
Burned. 

Parker Cook — Of Boston, from Boston to Aux Cayes. Captur- 
ed 30th November, 1862, in lat. 18° 59' N., long. 68° 45' 
W. Valued at $10,000. 
Burned. 

Punjauh — Of Boston, from Calcutta to London. Captured 15th 
March, 1863, in lat. 8° 36' N., long. 31° 43' W. Valued at 
$55,000. . , 

Released on bond. 

Rockingham — Of the United States, from Callao to Cork. Cap- 
tured 23d April, 1864, in lat. 15° 52' S., long. 31° 44' W. 
Valued at $97,878. 
Burned. 

Sea Lark — Of New York, from New York to San Francisco. 
Captured 3d May, 1863, in lat. 9° 39' S., long. 32° 44' W. 
Valued at $550,000. 
Burned. 

Sonora — Of the United States, from Singapore to Aycaab (in 
ballast). Captured 26th December, 1863, off Malacca. Val- 
ued at $46,545. 
Burned. 

Starlight — Of Boston, from Fayal to Boston. Captured 7th 
September, 1862, off Flores. Valued at $4,000. 
Burned. 



APPENDIX, NO. I. 247 

Talisman — Of New York, from New York to Shanghai. Cap- 
tured 5th June, 1863, in lat. 14° 35', long. 36° 26'. Valued 
at $139,195. 
Burned. 

Texan Star — Of the United States, from Maulmein to Singa- 
pore. Captured 24th December, 1863, off Malacca. Valued 
at $97,628. 
Burned. 

Tonawanda — Of Philadelphia, from Philadelphia to Liverpool. 
Captured 9th October, 1862, in lat. 40° 03' N., long. 54° 38' 
W. Valued at $80,000. 
Released on ransom bond. 

Tycoon — Of the United States, from New York to San Francis- 
co. Captured 27th April, 1864, in lat. 11° 16', long. 32° 6'. 
Burned. 

Union — Of Baltimore, from Baltimore to Jamaica. Captured 
5th December, 1862, off Cape Maise. Valued at $15,000, 
Released on bond. 

Union Jack — Of Boston, from Boston to Shanghai. Captured 
3d May, 1863, in lat. 9° 39', long. 32° 44'. Valued at 
$77,000. 
Burned. 

Virginia — Of New Bedford, from New Bedford (whaling). 
Captured 17th September, 1862, in lat. 40° 03' N., long. 
32° 46' W. Valued at $25,000. 
Burned. 

T. B. Wales — Of Boston, from Calcutta to Boston. Captured 
8th November, 1862, in lat. 29° 15' N., long. 57° 57' W. 
Valued at $245,625. 
Burned. 

Washington — Of New York, from Chincha Islands to Antwerp. 
Captured 27th February, 1863, in lat. 30° 19' N., long. 40° 
01' W. Valued at $50,000. 
Released on bond. 



24:8 APPENDIX, NO. I. 

Wave Crest — Of New York, from New York to Cardiff. Cap- 
tured 7th October, 1862, in lat. about 41° 00' N., long. 53°. 
Valued at $44,000. 
Burned. 

Weather Gauge — Of Province Town, from Province Town 
(whaling). Captured 9th September, 1862, off Flores. 
Valued at $10,000. 
Burned. 

Winged Racer — Of the United States, from Manilla to New 
York. Captured 10th November, 1863, in Strait of Sunda. 
Valued at $150,000. 
Burned. 



No. II. 

COUKSE OF THE SUMTEK. 

From New Orleans, 30th June, 1861, to Gibraltar, 18th 
January, 1862. 

1861. 

July 1 Lat. 26.18 N. Long. 87.23 W. 

2 23.04 86.13 

3 21.29 84.06 

4 No observation. 

5 Off the Jardinelles. 

6 At Cienfuegos, Cuba. 

7 do do 

8 Off the Caymans. 

9 Off Jamaica. 
10) 

to > No observation. 

15 j 

16 ) 

to > At St. Anne's, Curacao. 

24 j 
25} 
to > At and off Puerto Caballo. 

27 j 

28 OffTortuga. 
29} 

to V At Port of Spain. 
Aug. 5 ) 

6 9.14 59.10 

7 8.31 56.12 

8 7.19 53.34 

9 6.10 50.48 
10 4.29 48.25 



250 
Aug. 



Sept. 



Oct. 



11 Lat. 2.38 N. 


Long. 47.48 W. 


12 4.10 


49.37 


13 4.56 


50.55 


14 4.49 


51.19 


j n > At Cayenne. 




17 5.56 




18 Off the mouth of the Surinam. 




19) 




to > At Paramaribo. 




81) 




1 No observation. 




2 4.50 


50.20 


3 3.05 


48.44 


4 00.44 


47.12 


5 1.03 
to > At Maranham. 


44.48 




15 j 




16 00.17 S. 


42.59 


17 2.19 N. 


41.29 


18 3.38 


40.57 


19 4.33 


40.41 


20 4.46 


41.00 


21 5.12 


41.59 


22 5.37 


42.12 


23 5.25 


42.19 


24 5.35 


41.27 


25 6.20 


42.27 


27 6.24 


43.10 


28 6.10 


44.20 


29 6.55 


45.08 


30 7.33 


45.28 


1 7.39 


45.55 


2 8.19 


46.23 


3 8.30 


46.21 


4 8.55 


46.58 


5 9.13 


47.21 


6 8.31 


47.08 


7 8.13 


47.13 


8 8.52 


46.44 


9 7.21 


46.30 


10 6.22 


45.48 



APPENDIX, NO. II. 



251 



Oct. 



Nov. 



Dec. 



11 


Lat. 6.38 1 


12 


6.56 


13 


7.04 


14 


8.31 


15 


9.36 


16 


10.22 


17 


11.37 


18 


13.01 


19 


13.33 


20 


13.46 


21 


14.00 


22 


14.21 


23 


14.36 


24 


15.20 


25 


16.54 


26 


18.13 


27 


17.54 


28 


17.03 


29 


16.54 


30 


16.40 


31 


16.54 


1 


16.52 


2 


16.32 


3 


16.35 


4 


16.43 


5 


17.10 


6 


16.39 


7 


16.00 


8 




9 


15.08 


10) 




to } 


• At Martinique. 


23 j 




24 


16.12 


25 


18.11 


26 


20.07 


27 


22.22 


28 


24.22 


29 


25.51 


30 


27.16 


1 


27.38 


2 


28.12 


3 


29.10 



N. Long. 45.13 W. 

44.41 
44.47 
45.46 
48.11 
50.05 
51.49 
53.12 
53.46 
54.06 
54.07 
54.16 
54.37 
54.51 
55.30 
56.04 
56.30 
57.07 
57.33 
58.16 
57.59 
57.25 
56.55 
57.38 
57.45 
59.06 
, 59.54 
60.46 

61.54 



58.48 
57.12 

56.27 
57.12 
57.36 
58.29 
58.20 
58.09 
57.22 



252 APPENDIX, NO. n. 



Dec. 4 Lat 


. 30.03 N. 


Long. 55.09 


5 


30.19 


53.02 


6 


29.35 


52.02 


7 


29.27 


51.35 


8 


30.57 


51.49 


9 


31.35 


51.14 


10 


32.39 


49.47 


11 


32.48 


49.32 


12) 
13* 
14 


33.28 


47.03 


33.49 


44.47 


15 


34.00 


42.05 


16 


33.24 


40.43 


17 


33.24 


40.00 


18 


33.53 


38.43 


19 


34.30 


36.40 


20 


34.17 


35.31 


21 


35.17 


33.05 


22 No observation 






23 


' 36.29 


32.32 


24 


27.31 


31.30 


25 


36.08 


28.42 


26 


35.09 


25.56 


27 


35.00 


22.49 


28 


35.17 


20.53 


29 


35.43 


18.59 


30 


35.39 


17.33 


31 


35.22 


16.27 


1862. 






Jan. 1 


35.53 


13.14 


2 


35.52 


9.36 


3 


35.49 


7.00 



w. 



On the 4th of January the Sumter reached Cadiz, and on 
the 17th left for Gibraltar. She entered that port on the follow- 
ing day, where she was finally put out of commission. 





COURSE OF THE ALABAMA. 


1862. 




Aug. 25 
26 
27 


Lat. 39.15 N. Long. 26.30 W. 
39.39 26.07 
39.59 24.34 



APPENDIX, NO. II. 2 5 3 



**S La, 39,8 N. Lo^OOW. 

30 37.23 19.06 

31 Lat.byacc-36.23 21.54 
1 Lat. 35.33 22.17 
o 35.29 24.22 

3 36.16 25.56 

4 37.22 28.08 

5 No observation. 
6 



Sept. 



to } 
11 ) 



Off Flores, 



40.17 34.05 

40.34 35.24 

40.12 33.02 

H 40.Q3 32.46 

16 Off Flores. R 

40.03 32.46 

39.50 35.2o 



12 
13 
14 



17 



S3 

37 " 2 ° Hfs 

2i 36.35 . 36.58 

22 35.21 37.26 

oq 34.43 38.38 

H 34.52 48.28 

25 34.59 

2 6 35.35 



41.10 

41.36 

37.12 4 3.13 



97 3/.12 w~ 

il q 7 >m 42.00 

43.13 

33*37 45.03 

46.31 



28 37.40 

29 37.09 

30 

Oct. 1 40.27 



40to40*.30 ^ t0 fAl 

3 39.58 • 

4 

5 40.19 

6 41.02 



Till 

53.50 



7 No observation. ■ ■ 

8 Lat. (D. R.) 41.00 Long. (E KB.) 55.43 

Long. Chro. 54.d7 

9 Lat. 40.03 Long- ^.38 

10 41.13 

11 41.08 



53.45 
55.26 



254 APPENDIX, NO. n. 

Oct. 



Nov. 



12 


; 


Lat. 


41.42 N. 


Long. 56.48 W. 


13 


Assumed 40.30 


59.28 


14 






41.21 


59.31 


15 






41.32 


59.17 


16 


(D, 


.E.) 


42.16 


59.18 


17 


(D 


.R.) 


I 42.06 


59.46 


18 


Supposed 


I 41.25 


59.10 


19 






40.21 


62.08 


20 






40.28 


62.40 


21 






40.18 


62.40 


22 


By i 


icct. 


40.16 


64.17 


23 






39.34 


63.26 


24 






40.04 


62.05 


25 






39.57 


63.18 


26 






40.11 


64.32 


27 






39.47 


68.06 


28 






39.18 


67.35 


29 


No observation. 






30 






39.18 


69.12 


31 






37.51 


67.34 


1 






36.15 


65.55 


2 






36.13 


66.01 


3 






35.17 


67.11 


4 






34.27 


63.30 


5 






31.34 


61.27 


6 






29.05 


61.22 


7 






29.03 


59.22 


8 






29.15 


57.57 


9 






27.51 


58.24 


10 






25.40 


57.50 


11 






24.05 


57.36 


12 






22.58 


57.37 


13 






22.08 


57.43 


14 






21.11 


57.49 


15 






20.40 


58.24 


16 






18.00 


59.27 


17 






15.51 


60.20 


18 






13.15 


63.01 


21 






12.10 


64.35 


22 1 


I 








to 


> At Island of Blanquilla. 




25 J 


1 








26 






13.12 


65.30 



255 



Nov. 28 Lat. 16.19 N. Long. 66.06 W. 

29 17.45 67.15 

30 18.59 68.45 
Dec. 1 19.40 69.49 

2 20.04 71.50 

3 20.12 72.58 



to V 
L2J 



to \ Off Cape Maise, Jamaica, and Cuba. 
12 

13 18.47 78.28 

14 18.16 80.43 

15 18.39 83.06 

16 19.16 84.10 

17 19.18 84.25 

18 19.47 85.46 

19 20.00 85.31 

20 21.20 86.32 

21 22.06 88.40 

22 21.26 91.15 

23 20.18 91.50 



24 

to \ At the Areas. 

31 
1863. 
Jan. 

to \ At the Areas. 



i 



5 

6 21.11 93.13 

7 22.35 94.26 

8 24.36 94.45 

9 26.19 94.11 

10 27.45 94.42 

11 28.51 94.55 

12 28.03 93.08 

13 27.05 90.37 

14 25.58 88.58 

15 26.16 88.35 

16 23.43 87.35 

17 21.45 85.34 

18 ' 19.50 82.51 

19 18.30 80.34 
20) 

to V At Poil Koyal. 
25 j 



256 appendix, no. n. 



Jan. 26 


Lat. 17.50 N. 


Long. 74.52 W. 


27 


17.19 


72.21 


28 


17.56 


70.28 


29 At San 


Domingo. 




30 


19.31 


67.38 


31 


21.45 


68.06 


Feb. 1 


24.08 


68.18 


2 


26.17 


68.06 


3 


27.18 


66.10 


4 


28.00 


64.11 


5 


27.10 


61.30 


6 


25.44 


60.32 


7 


26.36 


60.15 


8 


25.41 


58.48 


9 


24.51 


57.55 


10 


24.32 


56.53 


11 


24.52 


56.34 


12 


25.15 


56.36 


13 


26.08 


55.32 


14 


27.09 


53.17 


15 


28.29 


50.07 


16 


28.45 


46.57 


17 


28.11 


45.01 


18 


28.15 


44.37 


19 


28.04 


44.29 


20 


28.32 


45.05 


21 


29.28 


44.58 


22 


29.33 


44.57 


23 


30.21 


43.55 


24 


30.32 


42.50 


25 


30.22 


41.03 


26 


30.23 


40.42 


27 


30.19 


40.01 


28 


30.07 


39.38 


March 1 


29.50 


38.31 


2 


29.25 


37.47 


3 


28.42 


36.59 


4 


27.02 


35.44 


5 


26.04 


35.23 


6 


24.09 


32.20 


7 


24.30 


35.12 


8 


22.36 


34.32 


9 


20.22 


33.53 



APPENDIX, no. n. 257 



Mar. 10 


Lat. 18.26 N. 


Long. 33.17 W, 


11 


16.18 


32.36 


12 


13.57 


31.47 


13 


11.31 


31.25 


14 


9.24 


31.48 


15 


8.36 


31.43 


16 


7.46 


30.21 


17 


7.53 


30.34 


18 


7.14 


29.26 


19 


5.59 


28.01 


20 


4.32 


27.00 


21 


2.47 


26.23 


22 


2.11 


26.24 


23 


2.08 


26.08 


24 


1.41 


26.13 


25 


1.22 


26.08 


26 


1.12 


26.32 


27 


No observation. 




28 


00.46 


26.19 


29 


00.18 


26.10 


30 


00.34 S. 


25.35 


31 


00.39 


25.19 


April 1 


1.00 


25.20 


2 


2.10 


26.02 


3 


2.52 


25.58 


4 


3.12 


26.09 


5 


3.25 


27.04 


6 


3.46 


28.00 


7 


3.57 


30.07 


8 


4.01 


Long. (D.R.) 31.17 


9 


4.08 


32.01 


10 1 


l 




. to 


► At Fernando de Noronha. 




22 J 


1 




23 


4.42 


31.49 


24 


5.45 


31.53 


25 


6.22 


31.44 


26 


7.36 


31.57 


27 


8.16 


32.18 


28 


* 8.19 


31.40 


29 


8.22 


31.07 


30 


9.02 


31.39 


May 1 


9.17 
12 


32.17 



258 APPENDIX, NO. n. 

May 2 Lat. 9.37 S.' Long. 32.34 W 



June 



2 


Lat. 9.37 S. 


Long. 32.34 


3 


9.39 


32.44 


4 


8.48 


32.34 


5 


10.06 


32.45 


6 


10.24 


32.30 


7 


12.08 


33.07 


8 


12.30 


33.52 


9 


12.55 


34.49 


10 


13.29 


36.07 


11) 






to > At Bahia. 




21 J 






22 


13.04 


37.36 


23 


12.33 


36.39 


24 


11.34 


34.54 


25 


12.04 


35.10 


26 


11.39 


34.47 


27 


12.15 


35.05 


28 


12.54 


35.18 


29 


13.31 


* 35.38 


30 


14.19 


35.36 


31 






1 


14.44 


35.15 


2 


15.01 


34.56 


3 


15.09 


35.04 


4 


14.46 


34.57 


5 


14.35 


36.26 


6 


15.17 


35.26 


7 


16.07 


35.37 


8 


15.55 


35.28 


9 


16.55 


35.36 


10 


16.17 


34.35 


11 


15.32 


33.46 


12 


17.25 


34.24 


13 


19.21 


35.37 


14 


19.54 


35.18 


15 


22.38 


35.11 


16 


23.41 


35.36 


17 


23.54 


35.53 


18 


24.16 * 


37.15 


19 


24.57 


39.01 


20 


25.48 


40.18 


21 


25.46 


40.16 



259 



June 



July 



Au< 



22 




Lat. 25.55 S. 


Long. 40.21 W. 


23 






25.24 


38.40 


24 






25.19 


36.36 


25 






25.56 


33.44 


26 


Lat. 


(D. 


,R.) 26.40 


30.16 


27 






26.01 


28.29 


28 






25.57 


30.31 


29 






26.35 


32.59 


30 






25.56 


35.12 


1 






25.38 


36.38 


2 






26.14 


37.51 


3 






26.31 


37.33 


4 






27.27 


34.37 


5 






27.58 


31.43 


6 






28.28 


30.20 


7 






29.45 


27.36 


8 






30.00 


24.20 


9 






29.57 


21.16 


10 






29.29 


17.47 


11 






28.00 


15.12 


12 






26.44 


13.32 


13 






28.13 


13.27 


14 






29.21 


11.31 


15 






30.07 


8.06 


16 


Lat. 


(D. 


R.) 30.39 


4.05 


17 






30.16 


00.20 


18 






29.54 


3.04 E. 


19 


Lat. 


(D. 


R.) 29.47 


5.32 


20 






29.57 


7.23 


21 






30.43 


10.19 


22 






31.33 


12.37 


23 






31.59 


14.12 


24 






33.24 


14.51 


25 






33.56 


15.34 


26 






33.26 


16.37 


27 






33.46 


17.17 


28 






33.46 


17.31 


29} 










to 
16 1 


► At Saldanha 


Bay, and the Cape. 




17 






34.03 


17.11 


18 






33.24 


16.56 


19 






32.52 


17.09 



260 APPENDIX, no. n. 

Au<r. 20 Lat. 32.45 S/ Long. 16.55 E. 

15.41 
16.08 
15.30 
14.34 
13.37 
14.12 



Sept. 



20 




Lat. 32.45 S. 


21 






33.14 


22 






32.13 


23 






31.43 


24 






31.24 


25 






31.18 


26 






27.57 


27 


No observation, 




28 1 


| 






to 


> At Angra 


Pequena. 


30 J 


1 






31 






26.51 


1 


No observation 




2 






' 28.37 


3 






29.43 


4 






30.04 


5 






30.24 


6 






30.35 


7 






31.17 


8 






31.41 


9 






32.30 


10 






33.16 


11 






33.10 


12 






33.43 


13 






33.51 


14 






34.28 


15 






34.26 


16 ) 








to J 


> At Simon's Town. 


24 j 








25 






35.26 


26 






37.28 


27 






37.52 


28 






39.02 


29 






39.02 


30 






39.12 


1 






39.15 


2 






38.27 


3 






38.46 


4 






38.43 


5 






38.47 


6 






38.44 


7 






37.51 



14.40 

10.13 

8.59 

8.46 

9.28 

11.16 

11.07 

11.16 

12.49 

15.20 

16.37 

16.03 

17.34 

17.43 

17.30 



18.15 
17.58 
19.03 
23.07 
27.20 
31.59 
35.46 
39.02 
42.49 
46.56 
49.20 
53.33 
57.30 



APPENDIX, no. n. 261 

Oct. 8 Lat. 38.04 S. Lorn?. 60.23 E. 



Nov. 



8 


Lat. 38.04 S. 


Long. 60.23 


9 


38.16 


64.15 


10 


38.26 


68.57 


11 


38.28 


72.40 


12 


38.46 


77.12 


13 


38.15 


80.29 


14 


37.47 


83.42 


15 


35.23 


89.55 


16 


35.23 


89.55 


17 


32.59 


93.28 


18 


30.59 


96.17 


19 


28.26 


98.43 


20 


25.33 


99.42 


21 


22.41 


100.12 


22 


21.13 


100.10 


23 


18.52 


100.10 


24 


15.45 


101.25 


25 


Lat. (D.R.) 12.26 


Long. (D.R.) 102.00 


26 


10.27 


102.13 


27 


9.55 


Long. 101.50 


28 


9.38 


101.51 


29 


9.20 


101.53 


30 


9.09 


102.14 


31 


8.53 


102.50 


1 


8.55 


103.51 


2 


9.30 


103.28 


3 


9.17 


103.31 


4 


8.31 


103.06 


5 


7.22 


103.15 


6 


• 7.00 


103.19 


7 
to 


6.59 


103.27 


► Off Flat Point. 




10 J 


1 




11 


4.48 


106.49 


12 


4.19 


108.00 


13 


3.59 


107.25 


14 


3.44 


109.05 


15 


3.03 


109.27 


16 


2.44 


109.16 


17 ) 


i 




to 


► Off the Malays. 




23 J 


1 





262 



APPENDIX, NO. n. 



Nov. 24 


Lat. 3.40 N 


Long 


.109.45 E. 


25 


Supposed Lat. 3.50 


Supposed Long 


. 110.30 


26 


4.36 




111.42 


27 


4.51 




111.54 


28 


4.51 




111.54 


29 


5.01 




111.47 


30 


6.14 




110.31 


Dec. 1 


7.30 




108.42 


2 

to 


8.30 




107.15 


> At Cindore. 






14 j 


1 






15 


8.24 




106.48 


16 


7.18 




107.27 


17 


(D.R.) 6.11 




106.12 


18 


4.48 




105.10 


19 ) 








and ] 


► At Island of Aor. 






20 J 


i 






21 ) 


i 






to 


> At and off Singapore. 






26 J 


1 






27 


4.08 




100.11 


28 


Supposed 4.46 




99.40 


29 


Supposed 5.29 




98.16 


30 


5.39 




96.40 


31 


Off N. end of Sumatra. 






1864. 








Jan. 1 


6.23 




93.35 


2 


5.39 




93.08 


3 


5.29 




92.33 


4 


6.05 


Long. (D.R. 


,) 91.40 


5 


6.29 




90.37 


6 


6.07 




88.40 


7 


5.39 




87.22 


8 


5.22 




84.53 


9 


5.05 




82.09 


10 


5.14 




79.50 


11 


5.49 




78.25 


12 


7.26 




76.02 


13 


7.33 




76.01 


14 


7.57 




76.09 


15 


8.25 




76.08 



APPENDIX, NO. n. 263 

E. 



Jan. 16 


At Quilon. 




17 


Lat. 8.40 N. Long, 


. 76.32 


18 


8.31 


76.30 


19 


8.05 


75.05 


20 


7129 


74.28 


21 


No observation. 




22 


7.52 


70.22 


23 


7.04 


67.17 


24 


7.03 


64.28 


25 


6.27 


61.49 


26 


5.33 


59.19 


27 


5.01 


56.36 


28 


4.02 


53.46 


29 


2.43 


51.00 


30 


00.50 


48.42 


31 


1.31 S. 


47.20 


Feb. 1 


3.15 


46.13 


2 


4.48 


45,40 


3 


' 6.47 


44.44 


4 


8.24 


44.26 


5 


10.18 


43.47 


6 


10.42 


44.00 


7 


10.44 


43.50 


8 
to 


10.45 


43.42 


> At Islands of Johanna and Mohilla. 




16 J 


1 




17 


13.41 


43.04 


18 


14.15 


42.45 


19 


15.03 


42.24 


20 


16.00 


41.45 


21 


17.02 


41,31 


22 


18.43 


41.20 


23 


19.49 


41.23 


24 


20.29 


41.19 


25 


21.18 


41.44 


26 


23.36 


41.15 


27 


25.31 


40.00 


28 


27.11 


37.51 


29 


29.16 


36.17 


March 1 


31.32 


34.37 


2 


33.20 


32.22 


3 


35.05 


29.49 



264 APPENDIX, NO. H. 

March 4 Lat. 35.11 S. * Long. 23.28 E. 

5 35.51 26.43 

6 39.09 24.58 
7- 35.10 24.03 

8 35.49 21.39 

9 35.46 20.29 

10 35.42 20.13 

11 35.08 18.21 

12 33.57 17.06 

13 33.35 16.10 

14 34. 3 15.20 

15 33.48 15.23 

16 32.50 16.31 

17 33.10 16.22 

18 No observation. 

19 32.57 15.55 

20 33.51 17.31 

21 \ 

to > At the Cape. 
24) 

25 34.02 18.10 

26 33.41 15.52 

27 31.50 12.39 

28 31.36 10.09 

29 30.25 8.25 

30 ' 28.53 6.55 

31 28.00 4.50 
April 1 26.13 2.40 

2 24.17 0.24 

3 22.35 1.29 W. 

4 21.01 3.13 

5 19.37 4.44 

6 18.41 4.22 

7 17.15 3.44 

8 17.42 5.50 

9 18.00 8.53 

10 18.12 11.47 

11 18.25 14.42 

12 18.47 17.13 

13 18.55 19.43 

14 18.58 22.33 

15 19. 9 25.— 

16 19.17 26.42 





APPENDIX, NO. II. 


26i 


April 17 


Lat. 19.12 S. 


Long. 27.33 W. 


18 


19.22 


28.57 


19 


19.13 


29.36 


20 


18.49 


30.01 


21 


18.18 


30.26 


22 


17.23 


30.56 


23 


15.52 


31.44 


24 


15.19 


32. 6 


25 


13.59 


32. 4 


26 


1.3. 5 


32.22 


27 


11.16 


32. 6 


28 


10. 5 


31.46 


29 


8. 9 


31.29 


30 


5.26 


30.12 


May 1 


2.25 


30.38 


2 


00.13 


30.41 


3 


1.43 N. 


31.28 


4 


3.30 


32.38 


5 


5. 6 


34.19 


6 


7.15 


36. 7 


7 


9.40 


37.36 


8 


11.54 


38.43 


9 


14.13 


39.43 


10 


16.43 


40.33 


11 


18.37 


41.09 


12 


20.10 


41.25 


13 


20.33 


41.19 


14 


20.53 


41.09 


15 


21.12 


40.55 


16 


22.05 


41.16 


17 


22.57 


41.50 


18 


24.33 


41.57 


19 


26.32 


41.50 


20 


28.04 


41.33 


21 


29.24 


40.42 


22 


30.25 


39.54 


23 


31.39 


38.39 


24 


33.13 


36.49 


25 


35.51 


35.41 


26 


37.43 


33.53 


27 


38.42 


32.50 


28 


39.23 


32.31 


29 


39.51 


(D.R.) 32.25 



12* 



266 APPENDIX, NO. n. 



May 30 


Lat. 40.25 N. 


Long. 


30.22 


31 


40.54 




27.15 


June 1 


41.35 




24.15 


2 


42.07 




22.15 


3 


42.18 




20.30 


4 


42.10 




18.04 


5 


41.58 




16.31 


6 


42.31 




15.42 


7 


43.47 




14.12 


8 


45.45 


(D.R.) 


12.06 


9 


47.34 




9.07 


10 


49.18 




6.03 



w. 



11 On this day the Alabama entered Cherbourg harbour. 



No. III. 
MR. LAIRD'S SPEECH ON THE ALABAMA. 



The following is a Ml report of Mr. Laird's speech in the 
House of Commons on Friday night : — After the discussion that 
has taken place about the Alabama, I shall not trouble the 
house with many remarks. I can only say, from all I know 
and all I have heard, that from the day the vessel was laid down 
to her completion everything was open and above-board in this 
country. (Cheers.) I also further say that the officers of the 
Government had every facility afforded them for inspecting the 
ship during the progress of building. When the officers came 
to the builders they were shown the ship, and day after day the 
customs officers were on board, as they were when she finally 
left, and they declared there was nothing wrong. (" Hear," 
from Mr. Bright.) They only left her when the tug left, and 
they were obliged to declare that she left Liverpool a perfectly 
legitimate transaction. (Hear, hear.) One point has been 
overlooked in this discussion. If a ship without guns and with- 
out arms is a dangerous article, surely rifled guns and am- 
munition of all sorts are equally — (cheers) — and even more 
dangerous. (Cheers.) I have referred to the bills of entry in 
the custom houses of London and Liverpool, and I find there 
have been vast shipments of implements of war to the Northern 
States through the celebrated houses of Baring and Co. — (loud 
cheers and laughter) — Brown, Shipley and Co., of Liverpool, 
and a variety of other names, which I need not more particular- 
ly mention, but whose Northern tendencies are well known to 
this house. (Hear, hear.) If the member for Rochdale, or the 
honourable member for Bradford, wishes to ascertain the extent 
to which the Northern States of America have had supplies of 
arms from this country, they have only to go to a gentleman 



268 appendix, no. m. 

who, I am sure, will be ready to afford'them every information, 
and much more readily than he would to me or to any one else 
calling upon him — the American consul in Liverpool. Before 
that gentleman the manifest of every ship is laid, he has to give 
an American pass to each vessel ; he is consequently able to 
tell the exact number of rifles which have been shipped from this 
country for the United States — information, I doubt not, which 
would be very generally desired by this house. (Loud cries of 
" Hear.") I have obtained from the official custom house re- 
turns some details of the sundries exported from the United 
Kingdom to the Northern States of America from the 1st of 
May, 1861, to the 31st of December, 1862. There were — mus- 
kets, 41,500 (hear, hear) ; rifles, 341,000 (cheers) ; gun flints, 
26,500 ; percussion caps, 49,982,000 (cheers and laughter) ; and 
swords, 2,250. The best information I could obtain leads me 
to believe that from one-third to a half may be added to these 
numbers for items which have been shipped to the Northern 
States as hardware. (Hear, hear.) I have very good reason 
for saying that a vessel of 2,000 tons was chartered six weeks 
ago for the express purpose of taking out a cargo of "hardware" 
to the United States. (Cheers.) The exportation has not 
ceased yet. From the 1st of January to the 17th March, 1863, 
the custom bills of entry show that 23,870 gun-barrels, 30,802 
rifles, and 3,105,800 percussion caps were shipped to the United 
States. (Hear, hear). So that if the Southern States have 
got two ships, unarmed, unlit for any purpose of warfare — for 
they procured their armaments somewhere else — the Northern 
States have been well supplied from this country through the 
agency of some most influential persons. (Hear, hear.) Now, 
it has been stated — and by way of comparison treated as matter 
of complaint — that during the Crimean war the Americans be- 
haved so well that the honourable member for Bradford and the 
member for Birmingham both lauded their action as compared 
with that of our own Government. Now, I have heard that a 
vessel sailed from the United States to Petropaulovski. (Cries 
of " Name.") If honourable members will allow me I will go 
on, and first I propose to read an extract from the Times, writ- 
ten by their correspondent at San Francisco, dated the 29th of 
January, 1863 : — 

" Now, this case of the Alabama illustrates the saying that 
a certain class should have a good memory. During the 
Crimean war, a man-of-war (called the America, if I remem- 
ber) was built in America for the Russian Government, and 



APPENDIX, NO. III. 269 



brought out to the Pacific, filled with arms and munitions, by 
an officer in the United States navy. This gentleman took her 
to Petropaulovski, where she did service against the allied squad- 
ron, and she is still in the Russian navy. (Cries of ' No/ and 
' Hear, hear.') We made no such childish fuss about this act 
of ' hostility' by a friendly Power, which we could not prevent, 
as our friends are now making about the Alabama, whose de- 
parture from England our Government could not stop." 

The America was commanded by a Lieutenant Hudson, who 

if m y information be correct, and I have no doubt that it is — 

was then, or had been just previously, a lieutenant in the Amer- 
ican navy ; he was the son of a most distinguished officer in the 
same service, Captain Hudson. I am further informed that 
some doubts having arisen about the character of this ship, the 
American men-of-war in the different ports she called at pro- 
tected her ; and, on her arrival in Russia, the captain who took 
her out was, I know, very handsomely rewarded for his services. 
(Hear, hear.) Now, I will go a step further about the North- 
ern States. In 1861, just after the war broke out, a friend of 
mine, whom I have known for many years, was over here, and 
came to me with a view of getting vessels built in this country 
for the American Government— the Northern Government. 
(Hear, hear.) Its agents in this country made inquiries ; plans 
and estimates were given to my friend, and transmitted to the 
Secretary of the American Navy. I will read an abstract from 
this gentleman's letter, dated the 30th of July, 1861. It is writ- 
ten from Washington, and states — 

" Since my arrival here I have had frequent interviews with 
our ' Department of Naval Affairs/ and am happy to say that 
the Minister of the Navy is inclined to have an iron-plated ship 
built out of the country. (Hear, hear.) This ship is designed 
for a specific purpose, to accomplish a definite object. I send 
you herewith a memorandum handed me last evening from the 
department, with the request that I would send it to you by 
steamer's mail of to-morrow, and to ask your immediate reply, 
stating if you will agree to build such a ship as desired, how 
soon, and for how much, with such plans and specifications as 
you may deem it best to send me." 

(Loud cheers.) The extract from the memorandum states 
that " the ship is to be finished complete, with guns and every- 
thing appertaining." (Renewed cheering and laughter.) On 
the 14th of August I received another letter from the same gen- 
tleman, from which the following is an extract : 



270 APPENDIX, NO. III. 

" I have this morning a note from the Assistant-Secretary 
of the Navy, in which he says, ' I hope your friends will tender 
for the two-iron plated steamers.' " (Hear, hear.) After this, 
the firm with which I was lately connected having made con- 
tracts to a large extent with other persons, stated that they were 
not in a position to undertake any orders to be done in so short 
a time. This was the reply : 

" I sent your last letter, received yesterday, to the Secretary 
of the Navy, who was very desirous to have you build the iron- 
plated or bomb-proof batteries, and I trust that he may yet de- 
cide to have you build one or more of the gunboats." 
(Loud cheers.) I think, perhaps, in the present state of the 
law in America, I shall not be asked to give the name of my 
correspondent (hear) , but he is a gentleman of the highest re- 
spectability. If any honourable member wishes, I should have 
no hesitation in handing the whole correspondence, with the 
original letters, into the hands of you, sir, or the First Minister 
of the Crown, in strict confidence, because there are communi- 
cations in these letters respecting the views of the American 
Government which I certainly should not divulge, which I have 
not mentioned or alluded to before. But seeing that the Amer- 
ican Government are making so much work about other parties, 
whom they charge with violating or evading the law, though in 
reality they have not done so, I think it only fair to state those 
facts. (Cheers.) As I said before, they are facts. (Hear, 
hear.) I do not feel at liberty to state those points to which I 
have referred, as being of a confidential character, but, if any 
honourable gentleman feels a doubt regarding the accuracy of 
what I have stated, I shall feel happy to place the documents in 
the hands of the Speaker, or of the First Minister of the Crown, 
when he will see that they substantiate much more than I have 
stated. (Cheers.) I do not wish to occupy the House longer ; 
but I must say this, that to talk of freedom in a land like the 
Northern States of America is an absurdity. Almost every 
detective that can be got hold of in this country is employed. 
(Hear, hear.) I believe there are spies in my son's works in 
Birkenhead, and in all the great establishments in the country. 
A friend of mine had detectives regularly on his track in conse- 
quence of some circumstances connected with his vessels. If 
that be freedom, I think we had better remain in the position in 
which we now are. (Cheers and laughter.) In conclusion, I 
will allude to a remark which was made elsewhere last night — a 
remark, I presume, applying to me or to somebody else, which 



APPENDIX, no. in. 271 

was utterly uncalled for. (Hear.) I have only to say that I 
would rather be handed down to posterity as the builder of a 
dozen Alabamas than as the man who applies himself deliberate- 
ly to set class against class (loud cheers), and to cry up the in- 
stitutions of another country, which, when they come to be 
tested, are of no value whatever, and which reduce liberty to an 
utter absurdity. (Cheers.) 



No. IV. 
THE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE HATTEKAS. 

From the Journal of an Officer of the Alabama. 

Sunday, 11th. — Fine moderate breeze from the eastward. 
Read Articles of War. Noon : Eighteen miles from Galveston. 
As I write this some' are discussing the probability of a fight 
before morning. 2.25 p. m. : Light breeze ; sail discovered by 
the look-out on the bow. Shortly after, three, and at last five, 
vessels were seen ; two of which were reported to be steamers. 
Every one delighted at the prospect of a fight, no doubt what- 
ever existing as to their being war-vessels — blockaders we sup- 
posed. The watch below came on deck, and of their own ac- 
cord began preparing the guns, &c, for action. Those whose 
watch it was on deck were engaged in getting the propeller 
ready for lowering ; others were bending a cable to a kedge and 
putting it over the bow — the engineers firing up for steam, 
officers looking to their side-arms, &c, and discussing the size of 
their expected adversary or adversaries. At 2.30 shortened sail 
and tacked to the southward. 4 p. m. : A steamer reported 
standing out from the fleet toward us. Backed main-topsail and 
lowered propeller. 4.50 : Every thing reported ready for action. 
Chase bearing N.N.E., distant ten miles. Twilight set in about 
5.45. Took in all sail. At 6.20 beat up to quarters, manned 
the starboard battery, and loaded with five second shell ; turned 
round, stood for the steamer, having previously made her out to 
be a two-masted side- wheel, of apparent 1,200 tons, though at 
the distance she was before dark we could not form any correct 
estimate of her size, &c. 

At 6.30 the strange steamer hailed and asked, "What 



273 

steamer is that ? " We replied (in order to be certain who he 
was), "Her Majesty's ship Petrel! What steamer is that?" 
Two or three times we asked the question, until we heard, 

" This is the United States steamer ," not hearing the 

name. However, United States steamer was sufficient. As no 
doubt existed as to her character, we said, at 6.35, that this was 
the " Confederate States steamer, Alabama," accompanying the 
last syllable of our name with a shell fired over him. The sig- 
nal being given, the other guns took up the refrain, and a tre- 
mendous volley from our whole broadside given to him, every 
shell striking his side, the shot striking being distinctly heard on 
board our vessel, and thus found that she was iron. 

The enemy replied, and the action became general. A most 
sharp spirited firing was kept up on both sides, our fellows pep- 
pering away as though the action depended on each individual. 
And so it did. Pistols and rifles were continually pouring from 
our quarter-deck messengers most deadly, the distance during 
the hottest of the fight not being more than forty yards ! It was 
a grand, though fearful sight, to see the guns belching forth, in 
the darkness of the night, sheets of living flame, the deadly mis- 
siles striking the enemy with a force that we could feel. Then, 
when the shells struck her sides, especially the percussion ones, 
her whole side was lit up, and showing rents of five or six feet 
in length. One shot had just struck our smoke-stack, and wound- 
ing one man in the cheek, when the enemy ceased his firing, and 
fired a lee gun ; then a second, and a third. The order was 
given to " Cease firing." This was at 6.52. A tremendous 
cheering commenced, and it was not till everybody had cleared 
his throat to his own satisfaction, that silence could be obtained. 
We then hailed him, and in reply he stated that he had surrender- 
ed, was on fire, and also that he was in a sinking condition. He 
then sent a boat on board, and surrendered the U. S. gunboat, 
Hatteras, nine guns, Lieutenant-Commander Blake, 140 men. 
Boats were immediately lowered and sent to his assistance, when 
an alarm was given that another steamer was bearing down for 
us. The boats were recalled and hoisted up, when it was found 
to be a false alarm. The order was given, and the boatswain 
and his mates piped " All hands out boats to save life ; " and soon 
the prisoners were transferred to our ship — the officers under 
guard on the quarter deck, and the men in single irons. The 
boats were then hoisted up, the battery run in and secured, and 
the main brace spliced. All hands piped down, the enemy's 
vessel sunk, and we steaming quietly away by 8.30, all having 



274: APPENDIX, NO. IT. 

been done in less than two hours. In fact, had it not been for 
our having the prisoners on board, we would have sworn nothing 
unusual had taken place — the watch below quietly sleeping in 
their hammocks. The conduct of our men was truly commend- 
able. No flurry, no noise — all calm and determined. The cool- 
ness displayed by them could not be surpassed by any old veterans 
—our chief boatswain's mate apparently in his glory. " Sponge ! * 
— " Load with cartridge ! " — u Shell-fire seconds ! " — " Runout ! " 
— " Well, down compressors ! " — " Left, traverse ! " — " Well 1 " 
— " Ready ! "— " Fire ! "— " That's into you ! "— " Damn you ! 
that kills your pig ! " — " That stops your wind ! " &c, &c, was 
uttered as each shot was heard to strike with a crash that nearly 
deafened you. The other boatswain's mate seemed equally to 
enjoy the affair. As he got his gun to bear upon the enemy, he 
would take aim, and banging away, would plug her, exclaiming, 
as each shot told — " That's from the scum of England ! " — 
" That's a British pill for you to swallow ! " the New York pa- 
pers having once stated that our men were the " scum of England." 
All other guns were served with equal precision. We were 
struck seven times ; only one man being hurt during the engage- 
ment, and he only received a flesh wound in the cheek. One shot 
struck under the counter, penetrating as far as a timber, then 
glancing off; a second struck the funnel ; a third going through 
the side across the berth-deck, and into the opposite side ; another 
raising the deuce in the lamp room ; the others lodging in the 
coal-bunkers. Taking a shell up and examining it, we found it 
filled with sand instead of powder. The enemy's fire was directs 
ed chiefly towards our stern, the shots flying pretty quick over 
the quarter-deck, near to where our Captain was standing. As 
they came whizzing over him, he, with his usual coolness, would 
exclaim — " Give it to the rascals ! " — " Aim low, men ! " 
— " Don't be all night sinking that fellow I " when for all 
or anything we knew, she might have been an iron-clad or a 
ram. 

On Commander Blake surrendering his sword, he said that 
" it was with deep regret he did it." Captain Semmes smacked 
his lips and invited him down to his cabin. On Blake giving his 
rank to Captain Semmes, he gave up his state-room for Blake's 
special use, the rest of the officers being accommodated according 
to their rank in the ward-room and steerages, all having previ- 
ously been paroled, the crew being placed on the berth-deck, our 
men sleeping anywhere, so that the prisoners might take their 
places. Of the enemy's losswe could obtain no correct accounts, 



APPENDIX, NO. IV. 275 

a difference of seventeen being in their number of killed, the 
Hatteras having on board men she was going to transfer to other 
ships. Their acknowledged loss was only two killed and seven 
wounded. A boat had been lowered just before the action to 
board us ; as we anticipated, and learnt afterwards, it pulled in 
for the fleet and reached Galveston. From conversation with 
her First-Lieutenant, I learnt that as soon as we gave our name 
and our first broadside, the whole after division on board her left 
the guns, apparently paralyzed ; it was some time before tney 
recovered themselves. The conduct of one of her officers was 
cowardly and disgraceful in the extreme. Some of our shells 
went completely through her before exploding, others burst in- 
side her, and set her on fire in three places. One went through 
her engines, completely disabling her ; another exploding in her 
steam chest, scalding all within reach.. Thus was fought, twenty- 
eight miles from Galveston, a battle, though small, yet the first 
yard-arm action between two steamers at sea. She was only 
inferior in weight of metal — her guns being nine in number, viz., 
four thirty-two pounders, two rifled thirty pounders, carrying 
601b. shot (conical), one rifled twenty-pounder, and a couple of 
small twelve pounders. On account of the conflicting statements 
made by her officers, we could never arrive at a correct estimate 
of her crew. Our prisoners numbered seventeen officers, one 
hundred and one seamen. We further learnt that the Hatteras 
was one of seven vessels sent to recapture Galveston, it being 
(although unknown to us) in the possession of our troops. We 
also found that the flag-ship Brooklyn, twenty-two guns, and the 
Oneida, nine guns, sailed in search of us. By their account of 
the course they steered they could not fail to have seen us. 



No. V. 
THE ALABAMA IN TABLE BAT. 

[From the Cape Argus.] 

August 6th, 1863. 
Yesterday, at almost noon, a steamer from the northward 
was made down from the signal-post, Lion's-hill. The Gov- 
ernor had, on the previous day, received a letter from Captain 
Semmes, dated Saldanha Bay, informing his Excellency that the 
gallant captain had put his ship into Saldanha Bay for repairs. 
This letter had been made public in the morning, and had caus- 
ed no little excitement. Cape Town, that has been more than 
dull — that has been dismal for months, thinking and talking of 
nothing but bankruptcies — bankruptcies fraudulent and bank- 
ruptcies unavoidable — was now all astir, full of life and motion. 
The stoop of the Commercial Exchange was crowded with mer- 
chants, knots of citizens were collected at the corner of every 
street ; business was almost, if not altogether suspended. All 
that could be gleaned, in addition to the information in Captain 
Semmes' letter to the Governor, a copy of which was sent to the 
United States Consul immediately it was received, was that the 
schooner Atlas had just returned from Malagas Island, where 
she had been with water and vegetables for men collecting guanos 
there. Captain Boyce, the master of the Atlas, reported that he 
had himself actually seen the steamer Alabama ; a boat from 
the steamer had boarded his vessel, and he had been on board 
her. His report of Captain Semmes corroborated that given by 
every one else. He said the captain was most courteous and 
gentlemanly. He asked Captain Boyce to land thirty prisoners 
for him in Table Bay, with which request Captain Boyce was 
unable to comply. Captain Semmes said that the Florida was 
also a short distance off the Cape, and that the Alabama, when 



277 

she had completed her repairs, and was cleaned and painted, 
would pay Table Bay a visit. He expected to be there, he said, 
very nearly as soon as the Atlas. 

Shortly after the Atlas arrived, a boat brought up some of 
the prisoners from Saldanha Bay, and amongst them one of the 
crew of the Alabama, who said he had left the ship. All these 
waited on the United States Consul, but were unable to give 
much information beyond what we had already received. The 
news that the Alabama was coming into Table Bay, and would 
probably arrive about four o'clock this afternoon, added to the 
excitement. About noon a steamer from the north-west was 
made known by the signal-man on the hill. Could this be the 
Alabama? or was it the Hydaspes, from India, or the Lady 
Jocelyn, from England? All three were now hourly expected, 
and the city was in doubt. Just after one it was made 
down, "Confederate Steamer Alabama, from the N. W., 
and Federal barque from the S. E." Here was to be a cap- 
ture by the celebrated Confederate craft, close to the entrance of 
Table Bay. The inhabitants rushed off to get a sight. Crowds 
of people ran up the Lion's-hill, and to the Kloof-road. All the 
cabs were chartered — every one of them ; there was no cavilling 
about fares ; the cabs were taken and no questions asked, but 
orders were given to drive as hard as possible. The barque 
coming in from the south-east, and, as the signal-man made 
down, five miles off; the steamer, coming in from the north-west, 
eight miles off, led us to think that the Kloof-road was the best 
place for a full view. To that place we directed our Jehu to 
drive furiously. We did the first mile in a short time ; but the 
Kloof-hill for the next two and-a-half miles is up-hill work. 
The horse jibbed, so we pushed on, on foot, as fast as possible, 
and left the cab to come on. When we reached the summit, we 
could only make out a steamer on the horizon, from eighteen to 
twenty miles off. This could not be the Alabama, unless she 
was making off to sea again. There was no barque. As soon 
as our cab reached the crown of the hill, we set off at a break- 
neck pace down the hill, on past the Roundhouse, till we came 
near Brighton, and as we reached the corner, there lay the Ala- 
bama within fifty yards of the unfortunate Yankee. As the 
Yankee came round from the south-east, and about five miles 
from the bay, the steamer came down upon her. The Yankee 
was evidently taken by surprise. The Alabama fired a gun, and 
brought her to. When first we got sight of the Alabama, it was 
difficult to make out what she was doing ; the barque's head had 



278 APPENDIX, NO. V. 

been put about, and the Alabama lay off quite immovable, as if 
she were taking a sight at the " varmint ! " The weather was 
beautifully calm and clear, and the sea was as smooth and trans- 
parent as a sheet of glass. The barque was making her way 
slowly from the steamer, with every bit of her canvas spread. 
The Alabama, with her steam off, appeared to be letting the 
barque get clear off. What could this mean ? No one under- 
stood. It must be the Alabama. " There," said the spectators, 
" is the Confederate flag at her peak ; it must be a Federal 
barque, too, for there are the Stars and the Stripes of the States 
flying at her main." What could the Alabama mean lying 
there — 

" As idly as a painted ship 
Upon a painted ocean." 

What it meant was soon seen. Like a cat watching and playing 
with a victimized mouse, Captain Semmes permitted his prize to 
draw off a few yards, and he then up steam again, and pounced 
upon her. She first sailed round the Yankee from stem to stern, 
and stern to stem again. The way that fine, saucy, rakish craft 
was handled was worth riding a hundred miles to see. She 
went round the bark like a toy, making a complete circle, and 
leaving an even margin of water between herself and her prize 
of not more than twenty yards. From the hill it appeared as if 
there were no water at all between the two vessels. This done, 
she sent a boat with the prize crew off, took possession in the 
name of the Confederate States, and sent the barque off to sea. 
The Alabama then made for the port. 

We came round the Kloof to visit Captain Semmes on board. 
As we came we found the heights overlooking Table Bay cover- 
ed with people ; the road to Green Point lined with cabs. The 
windows of the villas at the bottom of the hill were all thrown 
up, and ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and one and all joined 
in the general enthusiasm ; over the quarries, along the Malay 
burying-ground, the Gallows Hill, and the beach, there were 
masses of people — nothing but a sea of heads as far as the eye 
could reach. Along Strand Street and Adderley Street the roofs 
of all the houses from which Table Bay is overlooked, were 
made available as standing-places for the people who could not 
get boats to go off to her. The central, the north, the south, and 
the coaling jetties, were all crowded. At the central jetty it 
was almost impossible to force one's way through to get a boat. 
However, all in good time, we did get a boat, and went off in 
the midst of dingies, cargo-boats, gigs and wherries, all as full 



APPENDIX, NO. V. 279 

as they could hold. Nearly all the city was upon the bay ; the 
rowing clubs in uniform pulled off with favoured members of their 
respective clubs on board. The crews feathered their oars in 
double-quick time, and their pulling, our " stroke" declared, was 
" a caution, and no mistake." Just before getting alongside, we 
passed Captain Wilson in the port-boat, who told us that the 
prize taken was the Sea Bride, and that there was no difficulty 
in hearing from Captain Semmes himself the whole story of the 
capture. "We passed the Federal barque Urania at her an- 
chorage, and that ship, disregardful of the privateer, sported all 
her bunting with becoming pluck. The Stars and Stripes floated 
defiantly from her-mizen peak, and her name from her main. 
On getting alongside the Alabama, we found about a dozen boats 
before us, and we had not been on board five minutes before she 
was surrounded by nearly every boat in Table Bay, and as boat 
after boat arrived, three hearty cheers were given for Captain 
Semmes and his gallant privateer. This, upon the part of a neutral 
people, is, perchance, wrong ; but we are not arguing a case — we 
are recording facts. They did cheer, and cheer with a will, 
too. It was not, perhaps, taking the view of either side, Fed- 
eral or Confederate, but in admiration of the skill, pluck, and 
daring of the Alabama, her captain, and her crew, who now 
afford a general theme of admiration for the world all over. 

Visitors were received by the officers of the ship most cour- 
teously, and without distinction, and the officers conversed freely 
and unreservedly of their exploits. There was nothing like brag 
in their manner of answering questions put to them. They are as 
fine and gentlemanly a set of fellows as ever we saw ; most of 
them young men. The ship has been so frequently described, 
that most people know what she is like, as we do who have seen 
her. We should have known her to be the Alabama if we had 
boarded her in the midst of the ocean, with no one to introduce 
us to each other. Her guns alone are worth going off to see, 
and everything about her speaks highly for the seamanship and 
discipline of the commander and his officers. She has a very 
large crew, fine, lithe-looking fellows, the very picture of Eng- 
lish men-of-war's men. 

The second officer told us that it was the Sea Bride they had 
captured, and pointed out her captain, who stood aft conversing 
with a number of people who had gathered round him. " This, 
sir," said the officer, " is our fifty-sixth capture ; we have sent 
her off with about ten of our men as a crew, and we left a few 
of her own men on board of her." We asked him how he liked 



280 APPENDIX, NO. V. 

Saldanha Bay, and his answer was, "It is a very charming 
place. Why did you not build Cape Town there?" Our 
answer was, " Because we never do anything properly at the 
Cape." "Ah, sir ! " he said ; " that is a great mistake to leave 
so fine a bay without harbor conveniences. It is a great deal 
better than Table Bay. We enjoyed ourselves capitally there, 
had some good shooting ; one of us shot an ostrich, a fine fellow, 
but he got away. Unfortunately, we lost one of our officers 
there — one whom we all respected — as fine an officer as ever 
trod this ship's deck. He was in a boat in the bay, shooting 
wild fowl ; he drew his gun towards him, the barrel in his hand ; 
the trigger caught, the charge passed through his lung, and his 
only dying words were, ' Oh, me ! ' and he fell back a corpse. 
But for that circumstance, we should always remember Saldanha 
Bay with pleasure. The gun was within an inch of his breast 
when it went off." 

After this melancholy recital, we walked across to get a little 
chat with the prisoner so recently captured. He is a superior 
man, and spoke of the loss of his ship in the spirit of a philos- 
opher. He was leaning against a rail just opposite the cabin. 
" What can't be cured must be endured," said he. In answer 
to our remark, that an hour more would have saved him, he 
said, " Yes, it would ; I had not the remotest idea of a capture 
at this end of the world. I never supposed that she was in this 
direction. I was in my cabin, washing," said he, " and my 
mate came down and said there was a steamer in sight. l Cap- 
ital ! ' I said ; ' it is the English mail-steamer ; I shall be just 
in time for my letters.' He went up again, and shortly return- 
ing, said, l She is going to hail us.' ' Hail us ! ' I said ; * what 
the deuce can she want to hail us for?' and I went on deck. I 
looked at that (pointing to the Confederate flag) , and I soon saw 
who we were falling into the hands of. I said, ' Good-bye, mate ; 
ive shall not be long here.' This, sir," he went on to say, " is 
the second time I have been captured coming to the Cape. I 
left New York in the M. J. Calcon, and was captured by the 
Florida in 33° West and between 28° and 29° North. I went 
home all right, and left New York again on the 28th of May, 
direct for the Cape." This gentleman's name is Mr. H. Spaling. 

The next we had an opportunity of conversing with was the 
chief officer. This gentleman who, by the way, stands six feet 
four out of his shoes, showed us round the ship with just pride. 
He pointed out to us the peculiar qualities of the magnificent 
guns. One of Blakeley's rifle pieces is a terrible-looking 



281 

weapon. It throws conical shells of a hundred weight ; and he 
remarked, " When we fought the Hatteras, these conical shells 
struck one after the other in capital style ; they exploded with 
magnificent effect, and lit up her whole broadside." Many of 
the captured crew we observed in irons. 

We were now introduced to Capt. Semmes, who up to this time 
had been engaged in the cabin with Mr. W. J. Anderson, of Ander- 
son, Saxon, and Co., upon the subject of supplies, which are to 
be provided by the firm. We received a very cordial greeting 
from the gallant gentleman, who remarked that at Bahia, and 
indeed everywhere he had been, both his officers and himself 
had received very great attention from the English residents. 
We had always concluded that Captain Semmes, of the Pow- 
hattan, a fine steamer belonging to the States, to whom we were 
introduced some years since by the late Mr. D. M. Huckins, 
American Consul, was the captain of the Sumter and Alabama ; 
but we found we were mistaken, and on remarking this to the 
captain, he said, " Captain Semmes of the Powhattan is of the 
same family as myself — he is, indeed, my cousin ; but he was 
born in the North, his interests are all there, and he remains in 
the Federal service." Having desired us to take a seat, he said 
he should be happy to give us any information in his power ; he 
had no secrets, and bade us take notes if we wished so to do. 
He then informed us that he had taken fifteen ships since he left 
Bahia. We told him that Captain Bartlett, of the ship Fortuna, 
stated that on the 2d of July he saw a ship on fire. Our read- 
ers will recollect that the particulars were given in a paragraph 
immediately after the Fortuna arrived. It was as follows : — 
" On the 2d of July, Captain Bartlett saw some smoke rising 
up on the horizon, which he supposed to be the smoke from a 
steamer. Later in the day, however, a strong reflection of light 
was seen in the sky, and which the captain at once believed to 
be a ship on fire. All hands were then called up * to bout ship/ 
and they stood towards the spot from whence the light proceeded. 
This was about six o'clock ; and at two o'clock on the morning 
of the 3d July, and in lat. 25° 57' South, and in long. 38° 20' 
West, the Fortuna ran up within forty yards of a large vessel 
of 800 or 1000 tons, which was enveloped in one mass of flame 
from stem to stern. Nothing remained of her but her hull ; 
the whole of her rigging, masts, and decks had already been 
consumed. As the Fortuna ran towards the wreck, another 
vessel — the Oaks — bound to Calcutta, joined her, and the two 
vessels spoke one another. From what Captain Bartlett could 
13 / 



282 APPENDIX, NO. V. 

make out, the captain of the Oaks told him that in the evening, 
about half-past six, an English man-of-war had passed him, and 
whilst passing she fired two guns, from which it was concluded 
that the crew of the burning vessel had been rescued by the 
man-of-war." Captain Semmes said Captain Bartlett was quite 
right in supposing that the ship had been set on fire by himself. 
She was the Annie F. Schmidt, from New York to San Fran- 
cisco, with a general cargo on board ; but the supposition of the 
man-of-war coming to the rescue of the crew was a mistake. 
" We set her on fire in the night," said Captain Semmes, " and 
shortly after we had done so, we heard a couple of guns. We 
thought it was another Yankee, and we up steam and fired a gun 
for her to heave-to. On coming alongside her, we found she 
was Her Majesty's frigate Dido. ' We did not take her, sir/ 
said the captain, with a laugh ; ' in fact, we never attempt to 
take any of Her Majesty's frigates.' " 

We said we would mention that, and we do, as Captain 
Semmes's last. " The Dido people," he went on to say, " asked 
us if we had set the ship on fire, and I answered we had, and 
had got the crew safe on board. ' All right ! ' was the answer, 
and we parted. She was a vessel of about 1000 tons." We 
asked Captain Semmes if he could give us the names of the ves- 
sels he had captured. He answered that he could. " For," he 
said, " you English people won't be neighbourly enough to let 
me bring my prizes into your ports, and get them condemned, 
so that I am obliged to sit here a court of myself, try every 
case, and condemn the ships I take. The European powers, I 
see, some of them complain of my burning the ships ; but what, if 
they will preserve such strict neutrality as to keep me out of their 
ports, what am I to do with these ships when I take them but 
burn them ? " He then fetched his record books, and we took 
the following down from his lips : — " The ships we have cap- 
tured were — the Ocmulgee, of 400 tons, thirty-two men on 
board ; we burned her. The Alert, a whaler of 700 tons ; we 
burned her. The whaling schooner Weathergauge ; we burned 
her. The whaling brig Altamaha ; we burned her. The whal- 
ing ship Benjamin Tucker ; we burned her. The whaling 
schooner Courser ; we burned her. The whaling barque Vir- 
ginia ; we burned her. The barque Elisha Dunbar, a whaler ; 
we burned her. The ship Brilliant, with 1000 tons of grain on 
board ; we burned her. The Emily Farnum we captured and 
released as a cartel, and having so many prisoners we put some 
of them on board her, and sent them off. The Wave Crest, with 



APPENDIX, NO. V. 283 

a general cargo on hoard for Europe, we set on fire. The Dun- 
kirk brig, with a general cargo on board, we burned. The ship 
Tonawanda we captured, with a valuable freight on board, and 
released her, after taking a bond for a thousand dollars. The 
ship Manchester, with a cargo of grain, we burned. The barque 
Lamplighter, with an assorted cargo for Europe, we burned. 
The barque Lafayette, with an assorted cargo, we burned. The 
schooner Crenshaw, with an assorted cargo for the West Indies, 
we burned. The barque Lauretta, with an assorted cargo on 
board for Europe, we burned. The brig Baron de Custine we 
took a bond for and released. The whaling ship Levi Star- 
buck we burned. The T. B. Wales, from Calcutta to Boston, 
with a valuable cargo on board, we burned. The barque 
Martha, from Calcutta to West Indies, with an assorted cargo, 
we burned. The schooner Union we, after boarding, found had 
some English property on board, and we released her on bond. 
The mail steamer Ariel, running between New York and Aspin- 
wall, we captured. Unfortunately she was going, not returning, 
or we should have had a lot of gold. We released her on bond. 
The United States gunboat Hatteras, who came out to fight us, 
had the same number of guns and crew. Our guns were a little 
heavier than hers, but we equalized them by permitting her to 
fight us at 300 yards. We sunk her in thirteen minutes by the 
watch. The barque Golden Rule, with an assorted cargo, we 
burned. She belonged to the same company as the Ariel. The 
brig Chastelaine we burned. The schooner Palmetto we 
burned. The barque Olive Jane we burned. The Golden 
Eagle, laden with guano, we burned. The Washington, from 
the Pacific, with guano, we released on bond. The Bethia 
Thayer, from East India, with a valuable cargo on board, was 
released on bond. The John A. Parker, with flour and lumber, 
from Boston to Buenos Ayres, we burned. The Punjaub, from 
East India, we found to have some English cargo on board, we 
released on bond. The ship Morning Star we released on bond. 
The whaling schooner Kingfisher we burned. The ship Nora, 
from Liverpool to West Indies, with salt on board, we burned. 
The barque Lafayette we burned. The whaling brig Kate Cory* 
we burned. The whaling barque Nye we burned. The Charles 
Hall, from Liverpool, with coal, we burned. 

" The ship Louisa Hatch, from Cardiff to West Indies, we 
burned. The ship Dorcas Prince, with a general cargo, we 
burned. The ship Sea Lark, with a general cargo from the 
East Indies, we burned. The barque Union Jack, from Boston 



284: APPENDIX, NO. V. 

to Shanghai, we burned. "We captured a Yankee consul on 
board of her ; he was on his way to Foochin ; we landed him 
at the Brazils. The ship Gildersliene, from New York to the 
East Indies, we burned. The barque Justina we released on 
bond, to take home prisoners. The ship Jabez Snow, from New 
York to the East Indies, we burned. The barque Amazonian, 
from Boston to Buenos Ayres, we burned. The ship Talisman, 
from New York to the East Indies, we burned. The barque 
Conrad, fitted up as a Federal cruiser, a tender to a man-of-war, 
we captured and burned. After these came the Anne F. Schmidt, 
mentioned before, and the Sea Bride — and the Sea Bride you 
saw us take to-day. The estimated value of these captures is 
4,200,000 dollars." 

The American Consul, Mr. Graham, has handed to his Ex- 
cellency the Governor a protest against the capture of the Sea 
Bride, on the ground that the vessel was in British waters at 
tie time of her being stopped by the Alabama. His Excellency 
told Mr. Graham that the decision of the case remained purely 
on evidence, but he would see there was no breach of neutrality. 
The Captain of the Sea Bride says he is prepared to show by 
bearings that he was within two and a half miles of Robben 
Island. 



No. VI. 

CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE 
TUSCALOOSA. 

Bear-Admiral Sir B. Walker to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
August 19, 1863. 

I beg you will be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commis- 
sioners of the Admiralty with the following particulars rela- 
tive to the proceedings of the Confederate States ships of war 
Alabama, her reported tender Tuscaloosa, and the Georgia, 
which have recently arrived at the Cape of Good Hope. 

2. On the 28th of July an English schooner arrived in Table 
Bay, and reported that on the previous day she had been board- 
ed by the Confederate steamer Alabama, fifteen miles north-west 
of Green Point. After some inquiries the Alabama left her, 
steering south-east. 

3. Upon the receipt of this intelligence I ordered Captain 
Forsyth, of the Valorous, to hold himself in readiness to pro- 
ceed to any of the ports in this colony where the Alabama might 
anchor, in order to preserve the rules of strict neutrality. 

4. By a letter addressed to the Governor of this Colony by 
Captain Semmes, copy of which was telegraphed to me on 
the 4th instant, it appears that the Alabama had proceeded 
to Saldanha Bay for a few days, anchoring there on the 29th 
of July. 

5. On the 5th instant I received a private telegram to the 
effect that the Alabama was off Table Bay, when I directed the 
Valorous immediately to proceed to that anchorage ; and shortly 
afterwards a telegram reached me from the Governor stating 
" that the Alabama had captured a vessel (American), which 
was in sight, and steering for Table Bay." The Valorous reached 



286 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

that Bay at 10.15 p. m., where the Alabama had anchored at 3 
o'clock in the afternoon of the same day. 

6. Captain Forsyth having informed me that the tender to 
the Alabama had been ordered by Captain Semmes to Simon's 
Bay for provisions, and having learned that this vessel had been 
captured off the coast of Brazil, and not been condemned in any 
Prize Court, I had doubts as to the legality of considering her 
in the light of a tender, being under the impression that it was 
a ruse to disguise the real character of the vessel. I therefore 
wrote to the Governor to obtain the opinion of the Attorney- 
General of the Colony upon this subject, which correspondence 
is inclosed. 

7. On the 8th of August the tender Tuscaloosa, a sailing 
barque, arrived in Simon's Bay, and the boarding officer having 
reported to me that her original cargo of wool was still on board, 
I felt that there were grounds for doubting her real character, 
and again called the Governor's attention to this circumstance. 
My letter and his reply are annexed. And I would here beg to 
submit to their Lordships' notice that this power of a captain of 
a ship of war to constitute every prize he may take a M tender," 
appears to me to be likely to lead to abuse and evasion of the 
laws of strict neutrality, by being used as a means for bringing 
prizes into neutral ports for disposal of their cargoes, and secret 
arrangements — which arrangements, it must be seen, could after- 
wards be easily carried out at isolated places. 

8. The Alabama, after lying three days in Table Bay, came 
to this anchorage to caulk and refit. She arrived here on the 
9th, and sailed again on the 15th instant. Captain Semmes was 
guarded in his conduct, and expressed himself as most anxious 
not to violate the neutrality of these waters. 

9. I should observe that, from the inclosed copy of a letter 
from Captain Forsyth to the Governor, it would appear that the 
vessel Sea Bride, taken by the Alabama off Table Bay, was be- 
yond the juisdiction of neutral territory. 

10. During his passage to this port Captain Semmes chased 
another American vessel, the Martha Wentzel, standing in for 
Table Bay. On my pointing out to him that he had done so in 
neutral waters, he assured me that it was quite unintentional, 
and, being at a distance from the land, he did not observe that 
he had got within three miles of an imaginary line drawn from 
the Cape of Good Hope to Cape Hanglip, but on discovering it 
he did not detain the vessel. The explanation I considered 
sufficient. 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 287 

11. The tender Tuscaloosa, having been detained by a strong 
south-easter, got under way for the purpose of going to sea on 
the 14th instant, but anchored again a little distance from the 
Roman Rock lighthouse in consequence of thick fog prevailing. 

12. The Alabama did not take in any coal, either here or at 
Table Bay, but after being caulked she proceeded to sea on the 
15th instant, followed by the Tuscaloosa. Their destinations 
are unknown. 

13. On the 16th instant, the Confederate States steamer 
Georgia, Commander Maury, anchored in this bay. She re- 
quires coal, provision, and caulking. This vessel did not meet 
the Alabama outside. 

14. The Florida, another Confederate States steamer, is 
reported to be off this coast, probably cruising to intercept the 
homeward-bound American ships from China ; indeed, it is with 
that object these ships are on this part of the Station. 

15. I have learnt, since the departure of the Alabama, and 
her so-called tender, that overtures were made by some parties 
in Cape Town to purchase the cargo of wool, but, being unsat- 
isfactory, they were not accepted. It is reported to be Captain 
Semmes' intention to destroy the Tuscaloosa at sea. 

16. The Alabama is a steamer of about 900 tons, with 8 
guns, and 150 men. The Georgia is an iron steamer of about 
700 tons, with 5 guns, and 110 men. The Tuscaloosa is a sail- 
ing-barque of 500 tons, having 2 small guns and 10 men. 

Captain Semmes, C.S.N., to Governor Sir P. Wodehouse. Au- 
gust 1, 1863. 

An opportunity is offered me by the coasting schooner Atlas, 
to communicate with the Cape, of which I promptly avail my- 
self. 

I have the honour to inform your Excellency that I arrived 
in this bay on Wednesday morning last, for the purpose of ef- 
fecting some necessary repairs. As soon as these repairs can 
be completed I will proceed to sea, and in the meantime your 
Excellency may rest assured that I will pay the strictest atten- 
tion to the neutrality of your Government. 

Bear-Admiral Sir B. Walker to Governor Sir P. Wodehouse, 
August 7, 1863. 

Captain Forsyth having informed me that the Alabama has 
a tender outside captured by Captain Semmes on the coast of 



288 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

America, and commissioned by one of the Alabama's Lieuten- 
ants, and as this vessel has been ordered into Simon's Bay for 
provisions, may I request your Excellency will be good enough to 
obtain the opinion of the Law Officers whether this vessel ought 
still to be looked upon in the light of a prize, she never having 
been condemned in a Prize Court ; the instructions, copy of 
which I inclose, strictly forbidding prizes captured by either of 
the contending parties in North America being admitted into 
our ports. 

Governor fiir P. Wodehouse to Bear-Admiral Sir B. Walker, 
August 8, 1863. 

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excel- 
lency's letter of yesterday's date, and to inclose the copy of an 
opinion given by the Acting Attorney-General to the effect that 
the vessel to which you refer ought to be regarded as a tender 
and not as a prize. 

I shall take care to submit this question to Her Majesty's 
Government by the next mail, but in the meantime I conclude 
that your Excellency will be prepared to act on the opinion of 
the Attorney-General in respect to any vessels which may enter 
these ports in the character of prizes converted into ships of war 
by the officers of the navy of the Confederate States. 

Extracts from " WheatorCs Elements of International Law." 

What constitutes a setting forth as a vessel of war has been 
determined by the British Courts of Prize, in cases arising un- 
der the clause of the Act of Parliament, which may serve for 
the interpretation of our own law, as the provisions are the 
same in both. Thus it has been settled that where a ship was 
originally armed for the Slave Trade, and after capture an addi- 
tional number of men were put on board, but there was no 
commission of war and no additional arming, it was not a set- 
ting forth as a vessel of war under the Act. But a commission 
of war is decisive if there be guns on board ; and where the 
vessel after the capture has been fitted out as a privateer, it is 
conclusive against her, although, when recaptured, she is navi- 
gating as a mere merchant-ship ; for where the former charac- 
ter of a captured vessel had been obliterated by her conversion 
into a ship of war, the Legislature meant to look no further, 
but considered the title of the former owner forever extin- 
guished. Where it appeared that the vessel had been engaged 



289 

in a military service of the enemy, under the direction of his 
Minister of the Marine, it was held as a sufficient proof of a 
setting forth as a vessel of war ; so where the vessel is armed, 
and is employed in the public military service of the enemy by 
those who have competent authority so to employ it, although it 
be not regularly commissioned. But the mere employment in 
the enemy's military service is not sufficient ; but if there be a, 
fair semblance of authority, in the person directing the vessel 
to be so employed, and nothing upon the face of the proceedings 
to invalidate it, the Court will presume that he is duly author- 
ized ; and the commander of a single ship may be presumed to 
be vested with this authority as commander of a squadron. 

Bear-Admiral Sir B. Walker to Governor Sir P. Wodehouse. 
August 8, 1863. 

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excel- 
lency's letter of this day's date, covering the written opinion of 
the Acting Attorney-General of this Colony as to the legality of 
the so-called tender to the Confederate States armed ship Alaba- 
ma, and for which I beg to express my thanks. 

The vessel in question, now called the Tuscaloosa, arrived 
here this evening, and the boarding officer from my flag-ship 
obtained the following information : 

That she is a barque of 500 tons, with two small rifled 
12-pounder guns and ten men, and was captured by the Alaba- 
ma on the 21st June last, off the coast of Brazil : cargo of wool 
still on board. 

The admission of this vessel into port will, I fear, open the 
door for numbers of vessels captured under similar circumstan- 
ces being denominated tenders, with a view to avoid the pro- 
hibition contained in the Queen's instructions ; and I would ob- 
serve that the vessel Sea Bride captured by the Alabama off 
Table Bay a few days since, or all other prizes, might be in like 
manner styled tenders, making the prohibition entirely null and 
void. 

I apprehend that to bring a captured vessel under the de- 
nomination of a vessel of war, she must be fitted for warlike pur- 
poses, and not merely have a few men and two small guns put 
on board of her (in fact nothing but a prize" crew) in order to 
disguise her real character as a prize. 

Now this vessel has her original cargo of wool still on board, 
which cannot be required for warlike purposes, and her arma- 
13* 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

ment and the number of her crew are .quite insufficient for any 
services other than those of a slight defence. 

Viewing all the circumstances of the case, they afford room 
for the supposition that the vessel is styled a " tender" with the 
object of avoiding the prohibition against her entrance as a prize 
into our ports, where, if the captors wished, arrangements could 
be made for the disposal of her valuable cargo, the transhipment 
of which, your Excellency will not fail to see, might be readily 
effected on any part of the coast beyond the limits of this Colony. 

My sole object in calling your Excellency's attention to the 
case is to avoid any breach of strict neutrality. 

Governor Sir P. Wodehouse to Bear-Admiral Sir B. Walker. 
August 10, 1863. 

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excel- 
lency's letter of the 8th instant, on which I have consulted the 
Acting Attorney-General. 

The information given respecting the actual condition of the 
Tuscaloosa is somewhat defective, but referring to the extract 
from Wheaton transmitted in my last letter, the Attorney-Gen- 
eral is of opinion that if the vessel received the two guns from 
the Alabama or other Confederate vessel of war, or if the* person 
in command of her has a commission of war, or if she be com- 
manded by an officer of the Confederate navy, in any of these 
cases there will be a sufficient setting forth as a vessel of war to 
justify her being held to be a ship of war ; if all of these points 
be decided in the negative, she must be held to be only a prize, 
and ordered to leave forthwith. 

Bear-Admiral Sir B. Walker to Governor Sir P. Wodehouse. 
August 11, 1863. 

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excel- 
lency's letter, dated yesterday, respecting the Confederate barque 
Tuscaloosa now in this bay. 

As there are two guns on board, and an officer of the Alaba- 
ma in charge of her. the vessel appears to come within the mean- 
ing of the cases cited in your above-mentioned communication. 

Governor Sir P. Wodehouse to the Duke of Newcastle. 
August 19, 1863. 
(Extract.) 

I beg to ta'ke this opportunity of making your Grace ao- 



291 

quainted with what has occurred here in connection with the 
visit of the Confederate States steamer Alabama. 

On Tuesday, the 4th instant, I received a letter from the 
Commander of that vessel, dated the 1st August at Saldanba 
Bay, announcing his having entered that bay with a view to ef- 
fecting certain repairs, and stating that he would put to sea as 
soon as they were completed, and would strictly respect our 
neutrality. 

When this intelligence was received, the United States Con- 
sul called on me to seize her, or at any rate to send her away 
instantly ; but as the vessel which brought the news reported 
that the Alabama was coming immediately to Table Bay, I re- 
plied that I could not seize her, but would take care to enforce 
the observance of the neutral regulations. 

On the next day, about noon, it was reported from the signal 
station that the Alabama was steering for Table Bay from the 
north, and that a Federal barque was coming in from the west- 
ward ; and soon after, that the latter had been captured and put 
about. A little after 2 p. m. the United States Consul called to 
state that he had seen the capture effected within British waters ; 
when I told him he must make his statement in writing, and ah 
investigation should be made. I also, by telegram, immediately 
requested the Naval Commander-in-Chief to send a ship of war 
from Simon's Bay. The Alabama, leaving her prize outside, 
anchored in the bay 3.30 p. m., when Captain Semmes wrote to 
me that he wanted supplies and repairs, as well as permission to 
land thirty-three prisoners. After communicating with the 
United States Consul, I authorized the latter, and called upon 
him to state the nature and extent of his wants, that I might be 
enabled to judge of the time he ought to remain in the port. 
The same afternoon he promised to send the next morning a list 
of the stores needed, and announced his intention of proceeding 
with all despatch to Simon's Bay to effect his repairs there. The 
next morning (August 6th) the Paymaster called on me with the 
merchant who was to furnish the supplies, and I granted him 
leave to stay till noon of the 7th. 

On the night of the 5th, Her Majesty's ship Valorous had 
come round from Simon's Bay. During the night of the 6th the 
weather became unfavourable ; a vessel was wrecked in the bay, 
and a heavy sea prevented the Alabama from receiving her sup- 
plies by the time arranged. On the morning of the 8th, Captain 
Forsyth, of the Valorous, and the Port Captain, by my desire, 
pressed on Captain Semmes the necessity for his leaving the port 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

without any unnecessary delay ; when Jie pleaded the continued 
heavy sea and the absence of his cooking apparatus, which had 
been sent on shore for repairs, and had not been returned by the 
tradesman at the time appointed, and intimated his own anxiety 
to get away. Between 6 and 7 a. m., on Sunday, the 9th, he 
sailed, and on his way round to Simon's Bay captured another 
vessel ; but on finding that she was in neutral waters he imme- 
diately released her. 

In the meantime, the United States Consul had, on the 5th 
August, addressed to me a written statement that the Federal 
barque Sea Bride had been taken " about four miles from the 
nearest land," and " already in British waters ; " on which I 
promised immediate inquiry. The next day the Consul repeated 
his protest, supporting it by an affidavit of the master of the 
prize, which he held to show that she had been taken about two 
miles and a half from the land ; and the agent for the United 
States underwriters, on the same day, made a similar protest. 
On the 7th, the Consul represented that the prize had, on the 
previous day, been brought within one mile and a half of the 
lighthouse, which he considered as much a violation of the neu- 
trality as if she had been there captured, and asked me to have 
the prize crew taken out and replaced by one from the Valorous, 
which I declined. 

I had, during this period, been seeking for authentic infor- 
mation as to the real circumstances of the capture, more particu- 
larly with reference to the actual distance from the shore, and 
obtained through the Acting Attorney-General statements from 
the keeper of the Green Point Lighthouse (this was supported by 
the" Collector of Customs) , from the signalman at the station at 
the Lion's Rump, and from an experienced boatman who was 
passing between the shore and the vessels at the time. Captain 
Forsyth, of the Valorous, also made inquiries of the captain of 
the Alabama and of the Port Captain, and made known the re- 
sult to me. And upon all these statements I came to the con- 
clusion that the vessels were not less than four miles distant 
.from land ; and on the 8th I communicated to the United States 
Consul that the capture could not, in my opinion, be held to be 
illegal by reason of the place at which it was effected. 

In his reply of the 10th, the Consul endeavoured to show 
how indefensible my decision must be, if, in these days of im- 
proved artillery, I rested it on the fact of the vessels having 
been only three miles from land. This passage is, I think, of 
considerable importance, as involving an indirect admission that 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 293 

they were not within three miles at the time of capture. And I 
hope your Grace will concur in my view that it was not my duty 
to go beyond what I found to be the distance clearly established 
by past decisions under international law. 

An important question has arisen in connection with the 
Alabama, on which it is very desirable that I should, as soon as 
practicable, be made acquainted with the views of Her Majesty's 
Government. Captain Semmes had mentioned after his arrival 
in port, that he had left outside one of his prizes previously 
taken, the Tuscaloosa, which he had equipped and fitted as a 
tender, and had ordered to meet him in Simon's Bay, as she also 
stood in need of supplies. When this became known to the 
naval commander-in-chief, he requested me to furnish him with 
a legal opinion ; and whether this vessel could he held to be a 
ship of war before she had been formally condemned in a prize 
court ; or whether she must not be held to be still a prize, and, 
as such, prohibited from entering our ports. The Acting Attorney- 
General, founding his opinion on Earl Russell's despatch to your 
Grace, of the 31st January, 1862, and on " Wheaton's Inter- 
national Law," states in substance that it was open to Captain 
Semmes to convert this vessel into a ship of war, and that she 
ought to be admitted into our ports on that footing. 

On the 8th August the vessel entered Simon's Bay, and the 
Admiral wrote that she had two small rifled guns, with a crew 
of ten men, and that her cargo of wool was still on board. He 
was still doubtful of the propriety of admitting her. 

On the 10th August, after further consultation with the Act- 
ing Attorney-General, I informed Sir Baldwin Walker that, if the 
guns had been put on board by the Alabama, or if she had a 
commission of war, or if she were commanded by an officer of 
the, Confederate Navy, there must be held to be a sufficient 
setting forth as a vessel of war to justify her admission into port 
in that character. 

The Admiral replied in the affirmative on the first and last 
points, and she was admitted. 

The Tuscaloosa sailed from Simon's Bay on the morning of 
the 14th instant, but was becalmed in the vicinity until the fol- 
lowing day, when she sailed about noon. The Alabama left 
before noon on the 15th instant. Neither of these vessels was 
allowed to remain in port longer than was really necessary for 
the completion of their repairs. 

On the 16th, at noon, the Georgia, another Confederate war 
steamer, arrived at Simon's Bay in need of repairs, and is still there. 



294 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

Before closing this despatch I wish particularly to request 
instructions on a point touched on in the letter from the United 
States Consul of the 17th instant, viz. : the steps which should 
be taken here in the event of the cargo of any vessel captured 
by one of the belligerents being taken out of the prize at sea, and 
brought into one of our ports in a British or other neutral 
vessel. 

Both belligerents are strictly interdicted from bringing their 
prizes into British ports by Earl Russell's letter to the Lords of 
the Admiralty of the 1st June, 1861, and I conceive that a 
colonial government would be justified in enforcing compliance 
with that order by any means at its command, and by the exer- 
cise of force if it should be required. 

But that letter refers only to " prizes ; " that is, I conceive, 
to ships themselves, and makes no mention of the cargoes they 
may contain. Practically the prohibition has been taken to ex- 
tend to the cargoes ; and I gathered, from a conversation with 
Captain Semmes on the subject of our neutrality regulations, 
that he considered himself debarred from disposing of them, and 
was thus driven to the destruction of all that he took. But I 
confess that I am unable to discover by what legal means I could 
prevent the introduction into our ports of captured property 
purchased at sea, and tendered for entry at the custom-house 
in the usual form from a neutral ship. I have consulted the 
Acting Attorney-General on the subject, and he is not prepared to 
state that the customs authorities would be justified in making a 
seizure under such circumstances ; and therefore, as there is 
great probability of clandestine attempts being made to intro- 
duce cargoes of this description, I shall be glad to be favoured 
with the earliest practicable intimation of the views of Her 
Majesty's Government on the subject. 

Captain Semmes, G. S. JV., to Sir P. Wodehouse. 
August 5, 1863. 

I have the honour to inform your Excellency of my arrival in 
this bay, in the Confederate States steamer Alabama under my 
command. I have come in for supplies and repairs, and in the 
meantime I respectfully ask leave to land in Cape Town thirty- 
three prisoners, lately captured by me on board two of the 
enemy's ships destroyed at sea. The United States Consul will 
doubtless be glad to extend such hospitality and assistance to his 
distressed countrymen, as required of him by law. 



295 



Sir P. Wodehouse to Captain Semmes, C. S. N. 
August 5, 1863. 

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 
announcing your arrival in this port, and to state that I have no 
objection to offer to your landing the prisoners now detained in 
your ship. 

I have further to beg that you will be good enough to state 
the nature and extent of the supplies and repairs you require, 
that I may be enabled to form some estimate of the time for 
which it will be necessary for you to remain in this port. 

Captain Semmes, C. S. N., to Sir P. Wodehouse, 
August 5, 1863. 

I have had the honour to receive your letter of this day's 
date, giving me permission to land my prisoners, and requesting 
me to state the nature of the supplies and repairs which I may 
require. In the way of supplies I shall need some provisions 
for my crew, a list of which will be handed you to-morrow by 
the paymaster, and as for repairs my boilers need some iron 
work to be done, and my bends require caulking, being quite 
open. I propose to take on board the necessary materials here,' 
and to proceed with all despatch to Simon's Bay for the purpose 
of making these repairs. 

Mr. Adamson to Captain Semmes C. S. N. 
August 6, 1863. 

I am directed by the Governor of this colony to acquaint 
you that he has received from the Consul for the United States 
at this port a representation, in which he sets forth that an 
American barque was yesterday captured by the ship which you 
command^ in British waters, in violation of the neutrality of 
the British Government, and claims from him redress for the 
alleged outrage. 

His Excellency will be glad, therefore, to receive from you 
any explanation you may wish to give as to the circumstances 
in which the capture was effected. 

Captain Semmes, C. S. N., to Mr. Adamson. 
Cape Town, August 6, 1863. 

I have had the honour to receive your communication of 
this day's date, informing me that the United States Consul at 



296 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

this port had presented to his Excellency the Governor a repre- 
sentation in which he sets forth that an American barque was 
yesterday captured by this ship under my command in British 
waters, in violation of the neutrality of the British Government, 
and requesting me to make to his Excellency such representation 
as I may have to offer on the subject. 

In reply, I have the honour to state that it is not true that 
the barque referred to was captured in British waters, and in 
violation of British neutrality ; she having been captured outside 
all headlands, and a distance from the nearest land of between 
five and six miles. As I approached this vessel I called the 
particular attention of my officers to the question of distance, 
and they all agreed that the capture was made from two to three 
miles outside the marine league. 

U. S. Consul to Sir P. Wodehouse. August 4, 1863. 

From reliable information received by me, and which you 
are also doubtless in possession of, a war steamer called the Al- 
abama is no in Saldanha Bay, being painted, discharging pris- 
oners of war, &c. 

The vessel in question was built in England to prey upon 
the commerce of the United States of America, and escaped 
therefrom while on her trial trip, forfeiting bonds of £20,000, 
which the British Government exacted under the Foreign En- 
listment Act. 

Now, as your Government has a treaty of amity and com- 
merce with the United States, and has not recognised the per- 
sons in revolt against the United States as a Government at all, 
the vessel alluded to should be at once seized and sent to Eng- 
land, from whence she clandestinely escaped. Assuming that 
the British Government was sincere in exacting the bonds, you 
have doubtless been instructed to send her home to England, 
where she belongs. But if, from some oversight, you have not 
received such instructions, and you decline the responsibility of 
making the seizure, I would most respectfully protest against 
the vessel remaining in any port of the colony another day. 
She has been at Saldanha Bay four [six] days already, and a 
week previously on the coast, and has forfeited all right to re- 
main an hour longer by this breach of neutrality. Painting a 
ship does not come under the head of " necessary repairs," and 
is no proof that she is unseaworthy ; and to allow her to visit 
other ports after she has set the Queen's proclamation of neu- 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 297 

trality at defiance would not be regarded as in accordance with 
the spirit and purpose of that document. 

Mr. Adamson to U. S. Consul. August 5, 1863. 
» 

I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt 
of your letter of yesterday's date relative to the Alabama. 

His Excellency has no instructions, neither has he any au- 
thority, to seize or detain that vessel ; and he desires me to ac- 
quaint you that he has received a letter from the Commander, 
dated the 1st instant, stating that repairs were in progress, and 
as soon as they were completed he intended to go to sea. He 
further announces his intention of respecting strictly the neu- 
trality of the British Government. 

The course which Captain Semmes here proposes to take is, 
in the Governor's opinion, in conformity with the instructions 
he has himself received relative to ships of war and privateers 
belonging to the United States and the States calling themselves 
the Confederate States of America visiting British ports. 

The reports received from Saldanha Bay induce the Gov- 
ernor to believe that the vessel will leave that harbour as soon 
as her repairs are completed ; but he will immediately, on re- 
ceiving intelligence to the contrary, take the necessary steps for 
enforcing the observance of the rules laid down by Her Majes- 
ty's Government. 

Mr. Graham ( U. S. Consul) to Sir P. Wodehouse. August 5, 

1863. 

The Confederate steamer Alabama has just captured an 
American barque off Green Point, or about four miles from the 
nearest land (Robben Island). I witnessed the capture with 
my own eyes, as did hundreds of others at the same time. This 
occurrence at the entrance of Table Bay, and clearly in British 
waters, is an insult to England and a grievous injury to a 
friendly Power, the United States. 

Towards the Government of my country and her domestic 
enemies the Government of England assumes a position of neu- 
trality ; and if the neutrality can be infringed with impunity, in 
this bold and daring manner, the Government of the United 
States will no doubt consider the matter as one requiring imme- 
diate explanation. 

Believing that the occurrence was without your knowledge 



298 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

or expectation, and hoping you will take such steps to redress 
the outrage as the exigency requires, I am, &c. 

Mr. Rawson to Mr. Graham. August 6, 1863. 

I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt 
of your letter of yesterday's date respecting the capture of the 
Sea Bride by the Alabama, and to acquaint you that he will lose 
no time in obtaining accurate information as to the circum- 
stances of the capture. I have, &c, 

(Signed) RAWSON W. RAWSON, 
Colonial Secretary. 

Mr. Graham to Sir P. Wodehouse. August 6, 1863. 

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your de- 
spatch of this date. 

I beg now to enclose for your Excellency's perusal, the affi- 
davit of Captain Charles F. White, of the Sea Bride, protesting 
against the capture of the said barque in British waters. The 
bearings taken by him at the time of capture conclusively show 
that she was in neutral waters, being about two and a half miles 
from s Robben Island. This statement is doubtless more satis- 
factory than the testimony of persons who measured the distance 
by the eye. 

I believe that there is no law denning the word "coast" 
other than international law. That law has always limited neu- 
tral waters to the fighting distance from land, which, upon the 
invention of gunpowder, was extended to a distance of three 
nautical miles from land on a straight coast, and by the same 
rule, since the invention of Armstrong rifled cannon,, to at least 
six miles. 

But all waters inclosed by a line drawn between two prom- 
ontories or headlands are recognised by all nations as neutral, 
and England was the first that adopted the rule, calling such 
waters the " King's chambers." By referring to " Wheaton's 
Digest," page 234, or any other good work on international law, 
you will find the above rules laid down and elucidated. 

The fact that the prize has not already been burned, and 
that her fate is still in suspense, is clear proof that Captain 
Semmes had misgivings as to the legality of the capture, and 
awaits your Excellency's assent. If you decide that the prize 
was legally taken, you will assume a responsibility which Captain 
Semmes himself declined to take. 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 299 

Affidavit of G. F. White. 

On this 6th day of August, a.d. 1863, personally appeared 
before me, Walter Graham, Consul of the United States at Cape 
Town, Charles F. White, master of the barque Sea Bride, of 
Boston, from New York, and declared on affidavit that on the 
3d day of August instant, he sighted Table Mountain and made 
for Table Bay, but that on the 4th instant, night coming on, he 
was compelled to stand out. On the 5th instant, he again made 
for the anchorage, and about two p.m. saw a steamer standing 
toward the barque, which he supposed was the English mail 
steamer, but on nearing her, found her to be the Confederate 
steamer Alabama. He, Captain White, was peremptorily or- 
dered to heave his vessel to as a prize to the Alabama. One 
gun was fired, and immediately after the demand was made 
another gun was fired. Two boats were lowered from the Ala- 
bama and sent on board the barque. The officer in charge of 
these boats demanded the ship's papers, which the said master 
was compelled to take on board the said steamer. This hap- 
pened about a quarter before three o'clock. He and his crew 
were immediately taken from his vessel and placed as prisoners 
on board the Alabama, the officers and crew being put in irons. 
The position of the barque at the time of capture was as fol- 
lows : — Green Point Lighthouse bearing south by east ; Robben 
Island Lighthouse north-east. 

The said appearer did further protest against the illegal cap- 
ture of said vessel, as she was in British waters at the time of 
capture, according to bearings. 

Mr. Graham to Sir P. Wodehouse. August 7, 1863. 

Understanding from your letter of this date, received this 
morning,* that the case of the Sea Bride is still pending, I en- 
close the affidavits of the first officer of that vessel and the cook 
and steward, which I hope will throw additional light on the 
subject. 

From the affidavit of the first officer, it appears that the al- 
leged prize was brought within one and a half miles of Green 
Point Lighthouse yesterday at one o'clock p.m. Now, as the 
vessel was at that time in charge of a prize crew, it was a vio- 
lation of neutrality as much as if the capture had been made at 
the same distance from land. 

* A formal acknowledgment omitted here as superfluous. 



300 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

Pending your decision of the case* I would most respectfully 
suggest that the prize crew on board the Sea Bride be removed, 
and that the vessel be put in charge, of a crew from Her Majes- 
ty's ship Valorous. 

Affidavit of James Robertson. 

On the day and date hereof before me, Walter Graham, 
Consul for the United States of America at Cape Town, person- 
ally came and appeared James Robertson, cook and steward of 
the barque Sea Bride, an American vessel, and made affidavit 
that he was on board said barque on the night of the 5th day of 
August instant, after the said barque had been captured as a 
prize by the Confederate steamer Alabama, and a prize crew 
put on board. That at about five minutes before two o'clock 
a.m. of the 6th instant, the prize crew on board the said barque 
received a signal from the Alabama aforesaid to burn the said 
barque, and immediately all hands were called to execute that 
order. That the sails were clewed, a tar barrel taken from un- 
derneath the top-gallant forecastle and placed in the forecastle, 
and a bucketful of tar, with other combustibles and ammunition, 
ordered on the cabin table, but that when these arrangements 
were completed, another signal was received from the said Ala- 
bama, countermanding the order to burn the said prize, and to 
stand off and on the land until daylight, which orders were 
obeyed. 

Affidavit of John Schofield. 

On the day and date hereof before me, Walter Graham, 
Consul for the United States of America at Cape Town, per- 
sonally came and appeared John Schofield, first officer of the 
barque Sea Bride, of Boston, who made affidavit that he was 
on board of said vessel at one o'clock p.m. yesterday, the 6th 
day of August instant, while she was in possession of a prize 
crew of the steamer Alabama ; that he took the bearings of 
said barque at that time, which were as follows : Robben Island 
Lighthouse bore north-east by north one-half north, Green Point 
Lighthouse bore south-west one-half west. 

He also deposed that the officer in command of the barque 
came on deck about that time, and stampiDg his foot as if cha- 
grined to find her so near the land, ordered her further off, 
which was done immediately. 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 301 



Mr. Adamson to Mr. Graham. August 7, 1863. 

I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt 
of your letter of this date, inclosing two affidavits relative to 
the Sea Bride, and to state that his Excellency is not prepared 
to admit that the fact of that vessel having been brought by the 
prize crew within one and a half miles of the Green Point 
Lighthouse " was a violation of the neutrality as much as if the 
capture had taken place at the same distance from land," al- 
though both the belligerents are prohibited from bringing their 
prizes into British ports. 

The Governor does not feel warranted in taking steps for 
the removal of the prize crew from the Sea Bride. 

Mr. Rawson to Mr. Graham. August 8, 1863. 

With reference to the correspondence that has passed relative 
to the capture by the Confederate States steamer Alabama, of 
the barque Sea Bride, I am directed by the Governor to acquaint 
you that, on the best information he has been enabled to procure, 
he has come to the conclusion that the capture cannot be held to 
be illegal, or in violation of. the neutrality of the British Gov- 
ernment, by reason of the distance from land at which it took 
place. 

His Excellency will, by next mail, make a full report of the 
case to Her Majesty's Government. 

Mr. Graham to Sir P. Wodehouse. August 10, 1863. 

Your decision in the case of the Sea Bride was duly received 
at four o'clock p. m. on Saturday. In communicating that de- 
cision you simply announce that the vessel was, in your opinion, 
and according to evidence before you, a legal prize to the Ala- 
bama ; but you omit to state the principle of international law 
that governed your decision, and neglect to furnish me with the 
evidence relied upon by you. 

Under these circumstances I can neither have the evidence 
verified or rebutted here, nor am I enabled to transmit it as it 
stands to the American Minister at London, nor to the United 
States Government at Washington. An invitation to be present 
when the ex parte testimony was taken was not extended to me, 
and I am therefore ignorant of the tenor of it, and cannot dis- 
tinguish the portion thrown out from that which was accepted. 



302 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

If your decision is that the neutral "waters of this colony only 
extend a distance of three miles from land, the character of that 
decision would have been aptly illustrated to the people of Cape 
Town had an American war-vessel appeared on the scene, and 
engaged the Alabama in battle. In such a contest with cannon 
carrying a distance of six miles (three overland), the crashing 
buildings in Cape Town would have been an excellent com- 
mentary on your decision. 

But the decision has been made, and cannot be revoked here, 
so that further comment at present is, therefore, unnecessary. It 
can only be reversed by the Government you represent, which 
it probably will be when the United States Government shall 
claim indemnity for the owners of the Sea Bride. 

An armed vessel named the Tuscaloosa, claiming to act un- 
der the authority of the so-called Confederate States, entered 
Simon's Bay on Saturday the 8th instant. That vessel was for- 
merly owned by citizens of the United States, and while engaged 
in lawful commerce was captured as a prize by the Alabama. 
She was subsequently fitted out with arms by the Alabama to 
prey upon the commerce of the United States, and now, without 
having been condemned as a prize by any Admiralty Court of 
any recognized Government, she is permitted to enter a neutral 
port in violation of the Queen's Proclamation, with her original 
cargo on board. Against this proceeding I hereby most em- 
phatically protest, and I claim that the vessel ought to be given 
up to her lawful owners. The capture of the Sea Bride in 
neutral waters, together with the case of the Tuscaloosa, also a 
prize, constitute the latest and best illustration of British neu- 
trality that has yet been given. 

Mr. Rawson to Mr. Graham. August 10, 1863. 

I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt 
of your letter of this date, and to state with reference to that 
part of it which relates to the Tuscaloosa, that his Excellency is 
still in correspondence with the Commander-in-chief respecting 
the character of that vessel, and the privileges to which she is 
entitled. 

Mr. Graham to Sir P. Wodehouse. August 12, 1863. 

Upon receiving your last communication to me dated the 
10th instant, I deemed it simply a report of progress on one 
subject treated of in my last letter to your Excellency, and I 



303 

have therefore waited anxiously for the receipt of another letter 
from the Colonial Secretary communicating the final result in 
the case. Failing to receive it, and hearing yesterday p. m. that 
the Tuscaloosa would proceed to Sea from Simon's Bay to-day, 
I applied for an injunction from the Supreme Court to prevent 
the vessel sailing before I had an opportunity of showing by wit- 
nesses that she is owned in Philadelphia in the United States., 
and her true name is Conrad ; that she has never been con- 
demned as a prize by any legally constituted Admiralty Court ; 
and that I am ex officio the legal agent of the owners, under- 
writers, and all others concerned. I have not yet learned the 
result of that application, and fearing that delay may allow her 
to escape, I would respectfully urge you to •detain her in port 
until the proper legal steps can be taken. 

I am well aware that your Government has conceded to the 
so-called Confederate States the rights of belligerents, and is 
thereby bound to respect Captain Semmes' commission ; but 
having refused to recognize the "Confederacy" as a nation, and 
having excluded his captures from all the ports of the British 
Empire, the captures necessarily revert to their real owners, 
and are forfeited by Captain Semmes as soon as they enter a 
British port. 

Hoping to receive an answer to this and the preceding letter 
as early as possible, and that you will not construe my persistent 
course throughout this correspondence on neutral rights as im- 
portunate, or my remarks as inopportune, I have, &c. 

Mr. Rawson to Mr. Graham. August 12, 1863. 

I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt 
of your letter of this date, and to acquaint you that it was not 
until late last evening that his Excellency received from the 
naval Commander-in-chief information that the condition of the 
Tuscaloosa was such as, as his Excellency is advised, to entitle 
her to be regarded as a vessel of war. 

The Governor is not aware, nor do you refer him to the pro- 
visions of international law by which captured vessels, as soon 
as they enter our neutral ports, revert to their real owners, and 
are forfeited by their captors. But his Excellency believes that 
the claims of contending parties to vessels captured can only be de- 
termined in the first instance by the Courts of the captor's country. 

The Governor desires me to add that he cannot offer any 
objection to the tenor of the correspondence which you have ad- 



304 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

dressed to him on this subject, and that he is very sensible of / 
the courtesy you have exhibited under such very peculiar cir- 
cumstances ! ! ! He gives you credit for acting on a strict sense 
of duty to your country. 

Mr. Graham to Sir%P. Wodehouse. August 17, 1863. 

I have delayed acknowledging the receipt of your last letter, 
dated the 12th August, on account of events transpiring, but 
which have not yet culminated so as to form the subject of cor- 
respondence. 

Your decision that the Tuscaloosa is a vessel of war, and by 
inference a prize, astonishes me, because I do not see the neces- 
sary incompatibility. Four guns were taken from on board the 
Talisman (also a prize), and put on board the Conrad (Tusca- 
loosa), but that transfer did not change the character of either 
vessel as a prize, for neither of them could cease to be a prize 
till it had been condemned in an Admiralty Court of the captor's 
country, which it is not pretended has been done. The Tusca- 
loosa, therefore, being a prize, was forbidden to enter Simon's 
Bay by the Queen's Proclamation, and should have been ordered 
off at once ; but she was not so ordered. Granting that Her 
Majesty's Proclamation affirmed the right of Captain Semmes 
as a belligerent to take and to hold prizes on the high seas, it 
just as emphatically denied his right to hold them in British 
ports. Now, if he could not hold them in Simon's Bay, who 
else could hold them except those whose right to hold them was 
antecedent to his — that is, the owners ? 

The Tuscaloosa remained in Simon's Bay seven days with 
her original cargo of skins and wool on board. This cargo, I 
am informed by those who claim to know, has been purchased 
by merchants in Cape Town ; and if it should be landed here 
directly from the prize, or be transferred to other vessels at 
some secluded harbour on the coast beyond this Colony, and 
brought from thence here, the infringement of neutrality will be 
so palpable and flagrant that Her Majesty's Government will 
probably satisfy the claims of the owners gracefully and at once, 
and thus remove all cause of complaint. In so doing it will 
have to disavow and repudiate the acts of its executive agents 
here — a result I have done all in my power to prevent. 

Greater cause of complaint will exist if the cargo of the Sea 
Bride is disposed of in the same manner, as I have reason to ap- 
prehend it will be when negotiations are concluded ; for being 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 305 

originally captured in neutral waters, the thin guise of neutral- 
ity would be utterly torn into shreds by the sale of her cargo 
here. 

The Georgia, a Confederate war-steamer, arrived at Simon'g 
Bay yesterday, and the Florida, another vessel of the same class, 
has arrived, or is expected hourly at Saldanha Bay, where she 
may remain a week without your knowledge, as the place is very 
secluded. The Alabama remained here in Table Bay nearly 
four days, and at Simon's Bay six days ; and as the Tuscaloosa 
was allowed to remain at Simon's Bay seven days, I apprehend 
that the Georgia and Florida will meet with the same or even 
greater favours. Under such circumstances further protests from 
me would seem to be unavailing, and I only put the facts upon 
record for the benefit of my Government and officials possessed 
of diplomatic functions. 

Mr. Rawson to Mr. Graham. August 19, 1863. 

I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt of 
your letter of the 17th instant, and to state that he has, during 
the recent transactions, endeavoured to act in strict conformity 
with the wishes of Her Majesty's Government ; he will in like 
manner pursue the same course in any future cases which may 
arise. 

I am to add that His Excellency has no reason to be- 
lieve that either the Alabama or the Tuscaloosa have been al- 
lowed to remain in the ports of the Colony for a greater length 
of time than the state of the weather, and the execution of the 
repairs of which they actually stood in need, rendered indispen- 
sable. 

Statement of Joseph Hopson. 

Joseph Hopson, keeper of the Green Point Lighthouse, 
states : 

I was on the look-out on Wednesday afternoon when the 
Alabama and Sea Bride were coming in. When I first saw 
them the steamer was coming round the north-west of Robben 
Island, and the barque bore from or about five miles west-north- 
west. The barque was coming in under all sail with a good 
breeze, and she took nothing in when the gun was fired. I be- 
lieve two guns were fired, but the gun I mean was the last, and 
the steamer then crossed the stern side of the barque, and hauled 
up to her on the starboard side. He steamed ahead gently, and 
14 



306 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

shortly afterwards I saw the barque put round with her head to 
the westward, and a boat put off from the steamer and boarded 
her. Both vessels were then good five miles off the mainland, 
and quite five, if not six, from the north-west point of Robben 
Island. 

Statement of W. S. Field, Collector of Customs. 

I was present at the old Lighthouse, Green Point, on Wed- 
nesday afternoon, at 2 p. M., and saw the Alabama capture the 
American barque Sea Bride, and I agree with the above state- 
ment as far as the position of the vessels and their distance from 
shore. 

I may also remark that I called the attention of Colonel Bis- 
set and the lighthouse keeper Hopson to the distance of the ves- 
sels at the time of the capture, as it was probable we should be 
called upon to give our evidence respecting the affair, and we 
took a note of the time it occurred. 

Statement of John Hoe. 

I was yesterday, the 5th day of August, 1863, returning from 
a whale chase in Hunt's Bay, when I first saw the barque 
Sea Bride standing from the westward on to the land. I 
came on to Table Bay, and when off Camps Bay I saw the 
smoke of the Alabama some distance from the westward of Rob- 
ben Island. When I reached the Green Point Lighthouse the 
steamer was standing up towards the barque, which was about 
five miles and a half to the westward of Green Point, and 
about four and half from the western point of Robben Island. 
This was their position (being near each other at the time) 
when the gun was fired. 

Statement of Signalman at the Lion's Mump Telegraph Station. 

On Wednesday last, the 5th day of August, 1863, I sighted 
the barque Sea Bride about seven o'clock in the morning, about 
fifteen or twenty miles off the land, standing into Table Bay from 
the south-west. There was a light breeze blowing from the 
north-west, which continued until after midday. About midday 
I sighted the Alabama screw steamer standing from due north 
towards Table Bay, intending, as it appeared to me, to take 
the passage between Robben Island and the Blueberg Beach. 
She was then between fifteen and eighteen miles off the land. 



307 

After sighting the steamer, I hoisted the demand for the 
barque, when she hoisted the American flag, which I reported 
to the Port Office, the barque then being about eight miles 
off the land from Irville Point. No sooner had the barque hoist- 
ed the American flag than the steamer turned sharp round in 
the direction of and towards the barque. The steamer ap- 
peared at that time to have been about twelve miles off the land 
from Irville Point, and about four or five miles outside of Rob- 
ben Island, and about seven miles from the barque. 

The steamer then came up to and alongside of the barque, 
when the latter was good four miles off the land at or near the 
old Lighthouse, and five miles off the Island. The steamer, af- 
ter firing a gun, stopped the further progress of the barque, sev- 
eral boats were sent to her, and after that the barque stood out 
to sea again, and the Alabama steamed into Table Bay. 

Captain Forsyth to Sir P. Wodehouse. August 6, 1863. 

In compliance with the request conveyed to me by your 
Excellency, I have the honor to report that I have obtained 
from Captain Semmes a statement of the positions of the Con- 
federate States steamer Alabama and the American barque Sea 
Bride, when the latter was captured yesterday afternoon. 

Captain Semmes asserts that at the time of his capturing the 
Sea Bride, Green Point Lighthouse bore from the Alabama 
south-east about six or six and a half miles. 

This statement is borne out by the evidence of Captain Wil- 
son, Port Captain of Table Bay, who has assured me that at 
the time of the Sea Bride being captured, he was off Green Point 
in the port boat, and that only the top of the Alabama's hull 
was visible. 

I am of opinion, if Captain Wilson could only see that por- 
tion of the hull of the Alabama, she must have been about the 
distance from the shore which is stated by Captain Semmes, and 
I have therefore come to the conclusion that the barque Sea 
Bride was beyond the limits assigned when she was captured by 
the Alabama. 

Hear- Admiral Sir B. Walker to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
September 17, 1863. 

With reference to my letters dated respectively the 19th and 
31st ultimo, relative to the Confederate States ship of war Ala- 
bama, and the prizes captured by her, I beg to inclose, for their 



308 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

Lordships' information, the copy of a statement forwarded to 
me by the Collector of Customs at Cape Town, wherein it is 
represented that the Tuscaloosa and Sea Bride had visited Icha- 
boe, which is a dependency of this Colony. 

2. Since the receipt of the above-mentioned document, the 
Alabama arrived at this anchorage (the 16th instant), and when 
Captain Semmes waited on me, I acquainted him with the report, 
requesting he would inform me if it was true. I was glad to learn 
from him that it was not so. He frankly explained that the prize 
Sea Bride in the first place had put into Saldanha Bay through 
stress of weather, and on being joined there by the Tuscaloosa, 
both vessels proceeded to Angra Pequena, on the West Coast of 
Africa, where he subsequently joined them in the Alabama, and 
there sold the Sea Bride and her cargo to an English subject 
who resides at Cape Town. The Tuscaloosa had landed some 
wool at Angra Pequena and received ballast, but, he states, is 
still in commission as a tender. It will, therefore, be seen how 
erroneous is the accompanying report. I have no reason to 
doubt Captain Semmes' explanation ; but he seems to be fully 
alive to the instructions of Her Majesty's Government, and ap- 
pears to be most anxious not to commit any breach of neutrality. 

3. The Alabama has returned to this port for coal, some 
provisions, and to repair her condensing apparatus. 

4. From conversation with Captain Semmes, I find that he 
has been off this Cape for the last five days, and as the Vander- 
bilt left this on the night of the 11th instant, it is surprising they 
did not see each other. 

Tlie Duke of Newcastle to Sir P. Wodehouse. 
November 4, 1863. 

I have received your despatch of the 19th August last, sub- 
mitting for my consideration various questions arising out of 
the proceedings at the Cape of Good Hope of the Confederate 
vessels Georgia, Alabama, and her reputed tender, the Tusca- 
loosa. 

I will now proceed to convey to you the views of Her 
Majesty's Government on these questions. 

The capture of the Sea Bride, by the Alabama, is stated to 
have been effected beyond the distance of three miles from the 
shore — which distance must be accepted as the limit of territorial 
jurisdiction, according to the present rule of international law 
upon that subject. It appears, however, that the prize, very 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 309 

soon after her capture, was brought within the distance of two 
miles from the shore ; and as this is contrary to Her Majesty's 
orders, it might have afforded just grounds (if the apology of 
Captain Semmes for this improper act, which he ascribed to in- 
advertence, had not been accepted by you) for the interference 
of the colonial authorities upon the principles which I am about 
to explain. 

With respect to the Alabama herself, it is clear that neither 
you nor any other authority at the Cape could exercise any juris- 
diction over her ; and that, whatever may have been her previous 
history, you were bound to treat her as a ship of war belonging 
to a belligerent Power. 

With regard to the vessel called the Tuscaloosa, I am ad- 
vised that this vessel did not lose the character of a prize cap- 
tured by the Alabama, merely because she was, at the time of 
her being brought within British waters, armed with two small 
rifled guns, in charge of an officer, and manned with a crew of 
ten men from the Alabama, and used as a tender to that vessel 
under the authority of Captain Semmes. 

It would appear that the Tuscaloosa is & barque of 500 tons, 
captured by the Alabama, off the coast of Brazil, on the 21st of 
June last, and brought into Simon's Bay on or before the 7th of 
August, with her original cargo of wool (itself, as well as the 
vessel, prize) still on board, and with nothing to give her a 
warlike character (so far as is stated in the papers before me), 
except the circumstances already noticed. 

Whether, in the case of a vessel duly commissioned as a ship 
of war, after being made prize by a belligerent Government, 
without being first brought infra prcesidia, or condemned by a 
court of prize, the character of prize, within the meaning of 
Her Majesty's orders, would or would not be merged in that of 
a national ship of war, I am not called upon to explain. It is 
enough to say that the citation from Mr. Wheaton's book by 
your attorney-general does not appear to me to have any direct 
bearing upon the question. 

Connected with this subject is the question as to the cargoes 
of captured vessels, which is alluded to at the end of your de- 
spatch. On this point I have to instruct you that Her Majesty's 
orders apply as much to prize cargoes of every kind which may 
be brought by any armed ships or privateers of either belligerent 
into British waters as to the captured vessels themselves. They 
do not, however, apply to any articles which may have formed 
part of any such cargoes, if brought within British jurisdiction, 



310 

not by armed ships or privateers of either belligerent, but by 
other persons who may have acquired or may claim property in 
them by reason of any dealings with the captors. 

I think it right to observe that the third reason alleged by 
the attorney-general for his opinion assumes (though the fact had 
not been made the subject of any inquiry) that " no means ex- 
isted for determining whether the ship had or had not been 
judicially condemned in a court of competent jurisdiction," and 
the proposition that, " admitting her to have heen captured by a 
ship of war of the Confederate States, she was entitled to refer 
•Her Majesty's Government, in case of any dispute, to the court 
of her States in order to satisfy it as to her real character." 
This assumption, however, is not consistent with Her Majesty's 
undoubted right to determine within her own territory whether 
her own orders, made in vindication of her own neutrality, have 
been violated or not. 

The question remains what course ought to have been taken 
by the authorities of the Cape — 

1st. In order to ascertain whether this vessel was, as alleged 
by the United States Consul, an uncondemned prize brought 
within British waters in violation of Her Majesty's neutrality ; 
and 

2dly. "What ought to have been done if such had appeared 
to be really the fact. 

I think that the allegations of the United States Consul ought 
to have been brought to the knowledge of Captain Semmes while 
the Tuscaloosa was still within British waters, and that he should 
have been requested to state whether he did or did not admit the 
facts to be as alleged. He should also have been called upon 
(unless the facts were admitted) to produce the Tuscaloosa's 
papers. If the result of these inquiries had been to prove that 
the vessel was really an uncondemned prize, brought into 
British waters in violation of Her Majesty's orders made for the 
purpose of maintaining her neutrality, I consider that the mode 
of proceeding in such circumstances, most consistent with Her 
Majesty^ dignity, and most proper for the vindication of her 
territorial rights, would have been to prohibit the exercise of any 
further control over the Tuscaloosa by the captors, and to retaini 
that vessel under Her Majesty's control and jurisdiction until 
properly reclaimed by her original owners. 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 311 

Sir P. Wodehouse to the Duke of Newcastle. 
December 19, 1863. 

I have had the honour to receive your Grace's despatch of 
the 4th ultimo, from which I regret to learn that the course taken 
here relative to the Confederate war steamer Alabama and her 
prizes has not in some respects given satisfaction to Her 
Majesty's Government. 

I must only beg your Grace to believe that no pains were 
spared by the late Acting Attorney-General or by myself to shape 
our course in what we believed to be conformity with the orders 
of Her Majesty's Government and the rules of international law, 
as far as we could ascertain and interpret them. 

Mr. Denyssen has been so constantly engaged with profes- 
sional business since the arrival of the mail that I have been 
prevented from discussing with him the contents of your despatch ; 
but I think it right, nevertheless, to take advantage of the first 
opportunity for representing to your Grace the state of uncer- 
tainty in which I am placed by the receipt of this communica- 
tion, and for soliciting such further explanations as may prevent 
my again falling into error on these matters. In so doing I trust 
you will be prepared to make allowance for the difficulties which 
must arise out of this peculiar contest, in respect of which both 
parties stand on a footing of equality as belligerents, while only 
one of them is recognized as a nation. 

In the first place, I infer that I have given cause for dis- 
satisfaction in not having more actively resented the fact that 
the Sea Bride, on the day after her capture, was brought a 
short distance within British waters. 

Your Grace demurs to my having accepted Captain Semmes' 
apology for this improper act, which he ascribed to inadvertence. 
You will pardon my noticing that the fact of the act having been 
done through inadvertence was established by the United States 
Consul himself, one of whose witnesses stated, " the officer in 
command of the barque came on deck about that time, and 
stamping his foot as if chagrined to find her so near the land, 
ordered her further off, which was done immediately." 

I confess that on such evidence of such a fact I did not con- 
sider myself warranted in requiring the commander of Her 
Majesty's ship Valorous to take possession of the Alabama's 
prize. 

The questions involved in the treatment of the Tuscaloosa 
are far more important and more embarrassing ; and first let 



312 

me state, with reference to the suggestion that Captain Semmes 
should have been required to admit or deny the allegations of 
the United States Consul, that no such proceeding was required. 
There was not the slightest mystery or concealment of the cir- 
cumstances under which the Tuscaloosa had come into, and then 
was in possession of the Confederates. The facts were not dis- 
puted. We were required to declare what was her actual status 
under those facts. We had recourse to WTieaton, the best au- 
thority on International Law within our reach — an authority 
of the nation with whom the question had arisen — an authority 
which the British Secretary for Foreign Affairs had recently 
been quoting in debates on American questions in the House of 
Lords. 

Your Grace intimates that the citation from this authority by 
the Acting Attorney-General does not appear to have" any direct 
bearing upon the question. 

You will assuredly believe that it is not from any want of 
respect for your opinion, but solely from a desire to avoid 
future error, that I confess my inability to understand this 
intimation, or, in the absence of instructions on that head, to 
see in what direction I am to look for the law bearing on the 
subject. 

The paragraph cited made no distinction between a vessel 
with cargo and a vessel without cargo ; and your Grace leaves 
me in ignorance whether her character would have been changed 
if Captain Semmes had got rid of the cargo before claiming for 
her admission as a ship of war. Certainly, acts had been done 
by him which, according to Wheaton, constituted a u setting forth 
as a vessel of war." 

Your Grace likewise states, " Whether in the case of a ves- 
sel duly commissioned as a ship of war, after being made prize 
by a belligerent Government without beiug first brought infra 
prcesidia, or condemned by a Court of Prize, the character of 
prize,, within the meaning of Her Majesty's orders, would or 
would not be merged in a national ship of war, I am not called 
upon to explain." 

I feel myself forced to ask for further advice on this point, 
on which it is quite possible I may be called upon to take an 
active part. I have already, in error apparently, admitted a 
Confederate prize as a ship of war. The chief authority on In- 
ternational Law, in which it is in my power to refer, is Wheaton, 
who apparently draws no distinction between ships of war and 
other ships when found in the position of prizes ; and I wish 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 313 

your Grace to be aware that within the last few days the com- 
mander of a United States ship of war observed to me that if it 
were his good fortune to capture the Alabama, he should convert 
her into a Federal cruiser. 

I trust your Grace will see how desirable it is that I should 
be fully informed of the views of Her Majesty's Government on 
these points, and that I shall be favoured with a reply to this 
despatch at your earliest convenience. 

Bear-Admiral Sir B. Walker to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
January 5, 1864. 

I request you will be pleased to acquaint my Lords Commis- 
sioners of the Admiralty that the barque called the Tuscaloosa, 
under the flag of the Confederate States of North America (re- 
ferred to in my letter of the 19th of August last), termed a ten- 
der to the Alabama, returned to this anchorage on the 26th 
ultimo from cruising off the coast of Brazil. 

2. In order to ascertain the real character of this vessel, I 
directed the boarding officer from my flag-ship to put the ques- 
tions, as per inclosure No. 1, to the officer in command, Lieu- 
tenant Low, of the Alabama ; and having satisfied myself from 
his answers that the vessel was still an uncondemned prize cap- 
tured by the Alabama under the name of the Conrad, of Phila- 
delphia, I communicated the circumstances to the Governor of 
this Colony, who, concurring in opinion with me that she ought 
to be retained under Her Majesty's control and jurisdiction until 
reclaimed by her proper owners, for violation of Her Majesty's 
orders for the maintenance of her neutrality, I caused the so- 
called Tuscaloosa to be taken possession of ; informing Lieuten- 
ant Low, at the same time, of the reason for doing so. 

3. Lieutenant Low has entered a written protest against the 
seizure of the vessel, a copy of which, together with the reply of 
the Governor, I inclose for their Lordships' information, as well as 
a copy of all the correspondence which has passed on this subject. 

4. Lieutenant Low having informed me that he 'expects the 
Alabama shortly to arrive at this place, I have allowed him and 
his crew to remain on board the Conrad for the present ; but 
should the Alabama not make her appearance I have acquainted 
him that I will grant him and his officers (probably only one be- 
sides himself) a passage to England in one of the packets. The 
crew he wishes to discharge if there is no opportunity of their 
rejoining the Alabama. 

14* 



314 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

5. The vessel in question is at present moored in this bay, 
in charge of an officer and a few men belonging to Her Majes- 
ty's ship Narcissus, where she will remain until she can be 
properly transferred to her lawful owners, as requested by the 
Governor. 

Questions to be put to the Officer in Command or Charge of the barque 
Tuscaloosa, carrying the Flag of the so-called Confederate States of 
America. 

Ship's name and nation? — Tuscaloosa. Confederate. 

Name and rank of officer in command? — Lieutenant Low, 
late Alabama. 

Tonnage of the ship ? — 500. 

Number of officers and men on board ? — 4 officers and 20 men. 

Number and description of guns on board? — 3 small brass 
guns, 2 rifled 12-pounders, 1 smooth-bore -pounder. 

Where is she from ? — St. Katherine's, Brazils. 

Where is she bound ? — Cruising. 

For what purpose has the ship put into this port? — For re- 
pairs and supplies. 

Is it the same ship that was captured by the Alabama, and 
afterwards came to this port on the 9th of August last ? — Yes. 

What was her original name, on being captured by the Ala- 
bama ?■. — Conrad, of Philadelphia. 

When was she captured by Alabama? — 21st June, 1863. 

To what nation and to whom did she belong before her cap- 
ture ? — Federal States of America. 

Has she been taken before any legally constituted Admiralty 
Court of the Confederate States ? — No. 

Has she been duly condemned as a lawful prize by such 
Court to the captors ? — No. 

What is she now designated ? — Tender to the Alabama. 

What papers are there on board to constitute her as the Con- 
federate barque Tuscaloosa? — The commission of the Lieutenant 
commanding the Tuscaloosa from Captain Semmes. The offi- 
cers also haVe commissions to their ship from him. 

Are the papers which belonged to her before she was seized 
by the Alabama on board ? — No. 

Is there any cargo on board, and what does it consist of? — 
No cargo — only stores for ballast. 

(Signed) JOHN LOW, 

Lieut. -Commander, Confederate States barque Tuscaloosa. 
(Signed) FRANCIS L. WOOD, 

Lieutenant and Boarding Officer, Her Majesty* s ship Narcissus. 



315 

Bear-Admiral Sir B. Walker to Lieutenant Low, C.S.N, 
December 27, 1863. 

As it appears that the Tuscaloosa, under your charge and 
command, is a vessel belonging to the Federal States of Ameri- 
ca, having been captured by the Confederate States ship of war 
Alabama, and not having been adjudicated before any competent 
Prize Court, is still an uncondemned prize, which you have 
brought into this port in violation of Her Britannic Majesty's 
orders for the maintenance of her neutrality, I have the honour 
to inform you that, in consequence, I am compelled to detain 
the so-called Tuscaloosa (late Conrad) with a view of her being 
restored to her original owners, and I request you will be so 
good as to transfer the charge of the vessel to the officer bearing 
this letter to you. 

Bear- Admiral Sir B. Walker to Sir P. Wodehouse. December 

28, 1863. 

I have the honour to inform your Excellency that, acting 
upon your concurrence in my opinion with reference to the in- 
structions received from home by the last mail, I have detained 
the barque Tuscaloosa (late Conrad of Philadelphia), because 
she is an uncondemned prize, taken by the Confederate States 
ship of war Alabama, and brought into British waters in viola- 
tion of Her Majesty's Orders for maintaining her neutrality, 
and with the view to her being restored to her original owners. 

I shall be ready to hand her over to the Consul of the 
United States at Cape Town, or to any person you may appoint 
to take charge of her. 

I should add that Lieutenant Low has given up the Tusca- 
loosa (late Conrad) under protest, which he is about to make 
in writing, a copy of which shall be transmitted to your Excel- 
lency as soon as received. 

Lieutenant Low, C.S.N., to Sir P. Wodehouse. December 28, 

1863 

As the officer in command of the Confederate States ship 
Tuscaloosa, tender to the Confederate States steamer Alabama, 
I have to record my protest against the recent extraordinary 
measures which have been adopted towards me and the vessel 
under my command by the British authorities of this Colony. 

In August last the Tuscaloosa arrived in Simon's Bay. She 



316 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

was not only recognised in the character which she lawfully- 
claimed and still claims to be, viz., a commissioned ship of war 
belonging to a belligerent Power, but was allowed to remain in 
the harbour for the period of seven days, taking in supplies and 
effecting repairs with the full knowledge and sanction of the 
authorities. 

No intimation was given that she was regarded in the light 
of an ordinary prize, or that she was considered to be violating 
the laws of neutrality. Nor, when she notoriously left for a 
cruise on active service, was any intimation whatever conveyed 
that on her return to the port of a friendly Power, where she 
had been received as a man-of-war, she would be regarded as a 
" prize," as a violater of the Queen's proclamation of neutral- 
ity, and consequently liable to seizure. Misled by the conduct 
of Her Majesty's Government, I returned to Simon's Bay on 
the 26th instant, in very urgent want of repairs and supplies ; 
to my surprise I find the Tuscaloosa is now no longer consid- 
ered as a man-of-war, and she has by your orders, as I learn, 
been seized for the purpose of being handed over to the person 
who claims her on behalf of her late owners. 

The character of the vessel, viz., that of a lawful commis- 
sioned man-of-war of the Confederate States of America, has 
not been altered since her first arrival in Simon's Bay, and she, 
having been once fully recognised by the British authorities in 
command in this Colony, and no notice or warning of change 
of opinion or of friendly feeling having been communicated by 
public notification or otherwise. I was entitled to expect to be 
again permitted to enter Simon's Bay without molestation. 

In perfect good faith I returned to Simon's Bay for mere 
necessaries, and in all honour and good faith, in return, I should 
on change of opinion or of policy on the part of the British au- 
thorities, have been desired to leave the port again. 

But by the course of proceedings taken, I have been (sup- 
posing the view now taken by your Excellency's Government to 
be correct) first misled and next entrapped. 

My position and character of my ship will most certainly be 
vindicated by my Government. I am powerless to resist the 
affront offered to the Confederate States of America by your 
Excellency's conduct and proceedings. 

I demand, however, the release of my ship ; and if this de- 
mand be not promptly complied with, I hereby formally protest 
against her seizure, especially under the very peculiar circum- 
stances of the case. 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 317 



Mr. Rawson to Lieutenant Low, G.S.N. December 29, 1863. 

I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt 
of your letter of yesterday's date protesting against the seizure 
of the Tuscaloosa, whose character you represent to be the 
same as when, in August last, she was admitted into the port 
of Simon's Bay, and I am to acquaint you in reply that a full 
report was submitted to Her Majesty's Government of all that 
took place on the first visit of the Tuscaloosa, and that the seiz- 
ure has now been made in conformity with the opinion ex- 
pressed by them on that report. 

Your protest will of course be transmitted for their consid- 
eration. 

Pear-Admiral Sir B. Walker to Sir P. Wodehouse. December 

29, 1863. 
Lieutenant Low, the officer belonging to the Confederate 
States ship of war Alabama, late in charge of the barque called 
the Tuscaloosa (properly the Conrad of Philadelphia), having 
sent me a copy of the protest which he has forwarded to your 
Excellency against the detention of that vessel, I think it right 
to inclose for your information the copy of my letter to Lieu- 
tenant Low * explaining the circumstances under which the so- 
called Tuscaloosa is detained. 

Sir P. Wodehouse to the Duke of Newcastle. January 11, 1864. 

I very much regret having to acquaint your Grace that the 
Confederate prize vessel the Tuscaloosa has again entered Si- 
mon's Bay, and that the Naval Commander-in-chief and myself 
have come to the conclusion that, in obedience to the orders trans- 
mitted to his Excellency by the Admiralty, and to me by your 
Grace's despatch of the 4th November last, it was our duty to 
take possession of the vessel, and to hold her until properly 
claimed by her original owners. The Admiral, therefore, sent 
an officer with a party of men from the flag-ship to take charge 
of her, and to deliver to her commander a letter in explanation 
of the act. Copies of Ins protest, addressed to me, and of my 
reply, are inclosed. He not unnaturally complains of having 
been now seized, after he had on the previous occasion been 
recognised as a ship of war. But this is manifestly nothing 
more than the inevitable result of the overruling by Her Majes- 

* This letter is not given in the Blue Book. 



318 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

ty's Government of the conclusion alrrived at on the previous 
occasion by its subordinate officer. 

The Consul for the United States, on being informed of what 
had taken place, intimated his inability to take charge of the 
ship on account of the owners, and expressed a desire that it 
should remain in our charge until he was put in possession of 
the- requisite authority. Accordingly, after taking the opinion 
of the Attorney-General, it was arranged that the vessel should 
remain in the charge of Sir Baldwin Walker. 

I ought to explain that the seizure was made without pre- 
vious reference to the Attorney-General. I did not consider 
such a reference necessary. The law had been determined by 
Her Majesty's Government on the previous case. The Admiral 
was of opinion that we had only to obey the orders we had re- 
ceived, and on his intimating that opinion I assented. 

Your Grace will observe that at the request of the officers 
of the Tuscaloosa the Admiral has permitted them to remain on 
board, in expectation of the immediate arrival of the Alabama, 
to which ship they wish to return. I should otherwise have 
thought it my duty to provide them with passages to England at 
the cost of Her Majesty's Government, by whom, I conclude, 
they would be sent to their own country ; and it is probable 
that if the Alabama should not soon make her appearance, such 
an arrangement will become necessary. 

I have only to add that I have thought it advisable, after 
what has now occurred, to intimate to the United States Consul 
that we should probably be under the necessity of adopting sim- 
ilar measures in the event of an uncondemned prize being fitted 
for cruising, and brought into one of our ports by a Federal 
ship of war. I did not speak positively, because I have been 
left in doubt by your Grace's instructions whether some distinc- 
tion should not be drawn in the case of a ship of war of one 
belligerent captured and applied to the same use by the other 
belligerent, but the Consul was evidently prepared for such a 
step. Copies of all the correspondence are inclosed. 

Mr. Rawson to Mr. Graham. December 28, 1863. 

I am directed by the Governor to acquaint you that the 
Tuscaloosa having again arrived in Simon's Bay, will, under 
instructions lately received from Her Majesty's Government, be 
retained under Her Majesty's control and jurisdiction until prop- 
erly reclaimed by her original holders. 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 319 



Mr. Graham to Sir P. Wodehouse. December 28, 1863. 

I have to acknowlege the receipt of your letter of yesterday's 
date in reference to the Tuscaloosa. 

By virtue of my office as Consul for the United States of 
America in the British possessions of South Africa, of which na- 
tion the original owners of the Conrad alias Tuscaloosa are cit- 
izens, I possess the right to act for them when both they and 
their special agents are absent. I can institute a proceeding in 
rem where the rights of property of fellow-citizens are concerned, 
without a special procuration from those for whose benefit I act, 
but cannot receive actual restitution of the res in controversy, 
without a special authority. (See United States Statutes at 
Large, vol. i., p. 254, notes 2 and 3.) 

Under these circumstances I am content that the vessel in 
question should for the present, or until the properly authenticat- 
ed papers and power of attorney shall be received from the own- 
ers in America, remain in possession and charge of Her Majes- 
ty's naval officers. But should it hereafter be determined to give 
the vessel up to any party other than the real owners, I desire to 
have sufficient notice of the fact, so that I may take the proper 
steps to protect the interests of my absent fellow-citizens. 

With regard to the property of American citizens seized here 
at the Custom-house, and which was formerly part of the Sea 
Bride's cargo, I would suggest that it also be held by the Colo- 
nial Government, subject to the order of the original owners. 
An announcement to that effect from you would be received with 
great satisfaction by me. 

Lieutenant Low, C.S.N., to Sir P. Wodehouse. 
January 14, 1864. 

I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday, 
in which I am informed that it is your Excellency's intention to 
request the Naval Commander-in-chief to allow the arms and 
ammunition belonging to the Confederate States to be stored in 
the dockyard at Simon's Town. 

Whilst thanking your Excellency for this intention, I beg to 
state that as these were placed in my charge by Captain Semmes, 
of the Confederate steamship Alabama, I should prefer handing 
them to his agents in this Colony, to be stored by them under 
the usual Customs regulations until instructions can be received 
as to their disposal, and would respectfully solicit your Excel- 



APPENDIX, NO. YI. 

lency's permission to have them larfded, as I purpose leaving for 
England by the next mail-steamer. 

I have further to thank, your Excellency on behalf of the of- 
ficers of the Tuscaloosa for your offer of assistance on leaving 
the Colony, and to state they have already made their arrange- 
ments. 

Mr. Baivson to Lieutenant Low. January 18, 1864. 

I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt of 
your letter of the 14th instant, and to state that on full consid- 
eration of the case he thinks it advisable to adhere to the proposal 
already made, that the guns and other property alleged to belong 
to the Alabama should be placed in the dockyard at Simon's 
Town. They will then be subject to such orders as Her Majes- 
ty's Government may be pleased to make in the matter. 

I am also to transmit to you, for your information, copies of 
a letter which has been received from the Consul of the United 
States, and of the reply given to it by His Excellency's direc- 
tions. 

Mr. Graham to Sir P. Wodehouse. January 16, 1864. 

The report of J. M. Hoets, Esquire, on the Tuscaloosa, coun- 
tersigned by Lieutenant Kennedy of the Narcissus, has been re- 
ceived, and a copy furnished to Admiral Walker. Appended 
to that report is a list of articles claimed by Lieutenant Low of 
the Tuscaloosa as belonging to the Confederate steamer Alaba- 
ma. Now, among the articles enumerated in the list, are three 
12-pounder cannon taken from the American ship Talisman, and 
one small brass cannon taken from the Sea Bride, as I can prove 
by the testimony of a competent witness. These cannon I re- 
quest shall be held for their owners in the same manner as the 
vessel. Not being able to identify the other articles in this list 
with perfect certainty, I shall not claim them. 

Mr. Bawson to Mr. Graham. January 18, 1864. 

I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge the receipt 
of your letter of the 16th instant, and to state that the guns to 
which you refer will be held subject to such instructions as 
Her Majesty's Government may think fit to issue respecting 
them. 



APPENDIX, NO. VI. 321 

Bear-Admiral Sir B. Walker to the Secretary to the Admiralty. 
January 18, 1864. 

With reference to my letter of the 5th instant, I have the 
honour to submit, for their Lordships' information, a further cor- 
respondence between the Governor of this Colony and myself 
relative to the American vessel Conrad, of Philadelphia, lately 
called the Tuscaloosa. 

2. Lieutenant Low, belonging to the Confederate States ship 
of war Alabama, lately in charge of the Tuscaloosa, having paid 
off and discharged his crew, finally quitted the vessel on the 9 th 
instant ; and I have ordered him a passage to England by the 
mail-packet Saxon, together with his first officer, Mr. Sinclair. 

3. The Conrad now remains in charge of a warrant officer 
and two ship-keepers, awaiting to be properly claimed or dispos- 
ed of as the Government may direct. 

Bear-Admiral Sir B. Walker to Sir P. Wodehouse. 
January 6, 1864. 

With reference to your Excellency's communication of yes- 
terday's .date, I have the honour to inform you that I will make 
arrangements for the safe custody of the Conrad, of Philadelphia 
(late Tuscaloosa), by mooring her in this bay, and putting ship- 
keepers in charge of her, until she can be properly transferred to 
her lawful owners. 

Lieutenant Low has requested to be allowed to remain on 
board the vessel, together with his crew, for the present, as he ex- 
pected the Alabama to arrive here shortly, to which arrangement 
I have made no objection. 

There are some guns and other articles on board the Conrad 
said to belong to the Alabama, a list of which I have already 
forwarded to your Excellency. It is a matter for consideration 
how these things should be disposed of. 

I think, as a precautionary measure, it may be desirable that 
some person on the part of the United States Consul should 
visit the Conrad, to observe the state she is in, on being taken 
into British custody, to prevent any question thereon here- 
after. 

The Duke of Newcastle to Sir P. Wodehouse. March 4, 1864. 

I have received your despatches of the 11th and 19th Janua- 
ry, reporting the circumstances connected with the seizure of the 



322 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

Confederate prize-vessel Tuscaloosa,* under the joint authority 
of the Naval Commander-in-chief and yourself. I have to in- 
struct you to restore the Tuscaloosa to the Lieutenant of the Con- 
federate States who lately commanded her, or, if he should have 
left the Cape, then to retain her until she can be handed over to 
some person who may have authority from Captain Semmes, of 
the Alabama, or from the Government of the Confederate States, 
to receive her. 

You will receive a further communication from me on this 
subject by the next mail. 

The Duke of Newcastle to Sir P. Wodehouse. March 10, 1864. 

In my despatch of the 4th instant, I instructed you to restore 
the Tuscaloosa to the Lieutenant of the Confederate States who 
lately commanded her, or, if he should have left the Cape, then 
to retain her until she could be handed over to some person hav- 
ing authority from Captain Semmes, of the Alabama, or from the 
Government of the Confederate States, to receive her. 

I have now to explain that this decision was not founded on 
any general principle respecting the treatment of prizes captured 
by the cruisers of either belligerent, but on the peculiar* circum- 
stances of the case. The Tuscaloosa was allowed to enter the 
port of Cape Town and to depart, the instructions of the 4th of 
November not having arrived at the Cape before her departure. 
The Captain of the Alabama was thus entitled to assume that he 
might equally bring her a second time into the same harbor, and 
it becomes unnecessary to discuss whether, on her return to the 
Cape, the Tuscaloosa still retained the character of a prize, or 
whether she had lost that character, and had assumed that of an 
armed tender to the Alabama, and whether that new character, 
if properly established and admitted, would have entitled her to 
the same privilege of admission which might be accorded to her 
captor, the Alabama 

Her Majesty's Government have, therefore, come to the 
opinion, founded on the special circumstances of this particular 
case, that the Tuscaloosa ought to be released, with a warning, 
however, to the Captain of the Alabama, that the ships of war 
of the belligerents are not to be allowed to bring prizes into 
British ports, and that it rests with Her Majesty's Government 
to decide to what vessels that character belongs. 

In conclusion, I desire to assure you that neither in this de- 
spatch, nor in that of the 4th November, I have desired in any 



APrENDIX, NO. VI. 323 

degree to censure you for the course you have pursued. The 
questions on which you have been called upon to decide, are 
questions of difficulty, on which doubts might properly have been 
entertained, and I am by no means surprised that the conclusions 
to which you were led have not, in all instances, been those 
which have been adopted on fuller consideration by Her 
Majesty's Government. 

Captain Semmes, G. S. N., to Rear- Admiral Sir B. Walker, 
dated C.S.S. Alabama; Table Bay, March 22, 1864. 

Sir : — I was surprised to learn upon my arrival at this port 
of the detention by your order of the Confederate States barque 
Tuscaloosa, a tender to this. ship. I take it for granted that you 
detained her by order of the Home Government, as no other 
supposition is consistent with my knowledge of the candour of 
your character — the Tuscaloosa having been formerly received 
by you as a regularly commissioned tender, and no new facts 
appearing in the case to change your decision. Under these 
circumstances I shall not demand of you the restoration of that 
vessel, with which demand you would not have the power to 
comply, but will content myself with putting this my protest 
against this detention on the record of the case for the future 
consideration of our respective Governments. 

Earl Russell, in reaching the decision which he has commu- 
nicated to you, must surely have misapprehended the facts, other- 
wise I cannot conceive him capable of so misapplying the law. 
The facts are briefly these : — 1st. The Tuscaloosa was formerly 
the enemy's ship Conrad, lawfully captured by me on the high 
seas, as a recognized belligerent ; 2dly. She was duly com- 
missioned by me as a tender to the Confederate States steamer 
Alabama, then, as now, under my command ; and 3dly. She 
entered English waters not only without intention of violating 
Her Britannic Majesty's orders of neutrality, but was received 
with hospitality, and no question was raised as to her right to 
enter under the circumstances. These were the facts up to the 
time of Earl Russell's issuing to you his order in the premises. 
Let us consider, then, a moment, and see if we can derive from 
them, or any of them, just ground for the extraordinary decision 
to which Earl Russell has come. 

My right to capture and the legality of the capture will not 
be denied. Nor will you deny, in your experience as a naval 
officer, my right to commission this, or any other ship lawfully 



324 APPENDIX, NO. VI. 

in my possession, as a tender to \ny principal ship. Your ad- 
mirals do this every day, on distant stations ; and the tender, 
from the time of her being put in commission, wears a pennant, 
and is entitled to the immunities and privileges of a ship of war, 
the right of capture inclusive. 

Numerous decisions are to be found in your own prize law 
to this effect. In other words, this is one of the recognised 
modes of commissioning a ship of war, which has grown out of 
the convenience of the thing, and become a sort of naval com- 
mon law, as indisputable as the written law itself. The only 
difference between the commission of such a ship and that of a 
ship commissioned by the sovereign authority at home is that 
the word "tender" appears in the former commission and not in 
the latter. The Tuscaloosa having then been commissioned by 
me in accordance with the recognised practice of all civilized 
nations that have a marine, can any other Government than my 
own look into her antecedents ? Clearly not. The only thing 
which can be looked at upon her entering a foreign port is her 
commission. If this be issued by competent authority, you can- 
not proceed a step further. The ship then becomes a part of the 
territory of the country to which she belongs, and you can ex- 
ercise no more jurisdiction over her than over that territory. 
The self-respect and the independence of nations require this ; 
for it would be a monstrous doctrine to admit that one nation 
may inquire into the title by which another nation holds her 
ships of war. And there can be no difference in this respect 
between tenders and ships originally commissioned. The flag 
and the pennant fly over them both, and they are both with- 
drawn from the local jurisdiction by competent commissions. 
On principle you might as well have enquired into the antece- 
dents of the Alabama, as of the Tuscaloosa. Indeed, you had 
a better reason for inquiring into the antecedents of the former 
than of the latter, it having been alleged that the former escaped 
from England in violation of your Foreign Enlistment Act. Mr. 
Adams, the United States Minister, did in fact demand that the 
Alabama should be seized, but Earl Russell, in flat and most 
pointed contradiction of his late conduct in the case of the Tus- 
caloosa, gave him the proper legal reply, to wit : that the 
Alabama being now a ship of war, he was estopped from looking 
into her antecedents. One illustration will suffice to show you 
how untenable your position is in this matter. If the Tusca- 
loosa's commission be admitted to have been issued by competent 
authority, and in due form (and I do not understand this to be 



325 

contested except on the ground of her antecedents), she is as 
much a ship of war as the Narcissus, your flag-ship. Suppose 
you should visit a French port, and the port admiral should re- 
quest you to haul down your flag on the ground that you had 
had no sufficient title to the ship before she was commissioned, 
or that she was a contract ship and you had not paid for her, 
and the builder had a lien on her, or that you had captured her 
from the Russians, and had not had her condemned by a prize 
court, what would you think of the proceeding? And how does 
the case supposed differ from the one in hand ? In both it is a 
pretension on the part of a foreign power to look into the ante- 
cedents of a ship of war — neither more nor less in the one case 
than in the other. I will even put the case stronger. If it be 
admitted that I had the right to commission a tender, and the 
fact had been that I had seized a French ship and put her in 
commission, you could not inquire into the fact. You would 
have no right to know but that I had the orders of my Govern- 
ment for this seizure. In short, you would have no right to 
inquire into the matter at all. My ship being regularly com- 
missioned, I am responsible to my Government for my acts, and 
my Government, in the case supposed, would be responsible to 
France, and not to you. If this reasoning be correct — and with 
all due submission to his lordship I think it is sustained by the 
plainest principles of the international code — it follows that the 
condemnation of a prize in a prize court is not the only mode of 
changing the character of a captured ship. When the sovereign 
of the captor puts his own commission on board such a ship, 
this is a condemnation in its most solemn form, and is notice to 
all the world. On principle, if a ship thus commissioned were 
recaptured, the belligerent prize court could not restore her to 
her original owner, but must condemn her as a prize ship of war 
of the enemy to the captors ; for prize courts are international 
courts, and cannot go behind the pennant and commission of the 
cruiser. 

Further, as to this question of adjudication, your letter to 
Lieutenant Low, the late commander of the Tuscaloosa, assumes 
that, as the Tuscaloosa was not condemned, she was therefore 
the property of the enemy from whom she had been taken. 
Condemnation is intended for the benefit of neutrals, and to 
quiet the titles of purchasers, but is never necessary as against 
the enemy. His right is taken away by force, and not by any 
legal process, and the possession of his property manu forte is 
all that is required against him. 



326 

Earl Russell having decided to* disregard these plain princi- 
ples of the laws of nations, and to go behind my commission, 
let us see what he next decides. 

His decision is this, that the Tuscaloosa being a prize, and 
having come into British waters in violation of the Queen's 
orders of neutrality, she must be restored to her original owner. 
The ship is not seized and condemned for the violation of any 
municipal law, such as fraud upon the revenue, &c. — as, indeed, 
she could not be so seized and condemned without the interven- 
tion of a court of law — but by the strong arm of executive 
power he wrests my prize from me, and very coolly hands her 
over to the enemy. It is admitted that all prizes, like other 
merchant ships, are liable to seizure and condemnation for a 
palpable violation of the municipal law ; but that is not this case. 
The whole thing is done under the international law. Now, 
there is no principle better established than that neutrals have 
no right to interfere in any manner between the captor and his 
prize, except in one particular instance, and that is where the 
prize has been captured in neutral waters and afterwards come3 
of her own accord within the neutral jurisdiction. In that case, 
and in that case alone, the neutral prize court may adjudicate 
the case, and if they find the allegation of infra terminos proved, 
they may restore the property to the original owner. 

If a lawful prize, contrary to prohibition, come within neu- 
tral waters, the most the neutral can do is to order her to depart 
without interfering in any manner with the captor's possession. 

It is admitted that if she obstinately refuses to depart, or 
conducts herself otherwise in an improper manner, she may be 
compelled to depart, or may, indeed, be seized and confiscated 
as a penalty for her offence. But there is no plea of that kind 
set up here. To show how sacred is the title of mere possession 
on the part of a captor, permit me to quote from one of your 
own authorities. On page 42 of the first volume of Phillimore 
on International Law, you will find the following passage : "In 
1654 a treaty was entered into between England and Portugal, 
by which, among other things, both countries mutually bound 
themselves not to suffer the ships and goods of the other taken 
by enemies and carried into the ports of the other to be con- 
veyed away from the original owners or proprietors." 

" Now, I have no scruple in saying (observes Lord Stowell 
in 1798) that this is an article incapable of being carried into 
literal execution according to the modern understanding of the 
law of nations ; for no neutral country can intervene to wrest 



327 

from a belligerent prizes lawfully taken. This is perhaps the 
strongest instance that could be cited of what civilians call the 
consuetudo obrogatoria." 

This being the nature of my title, the reasons should be very 
urgent which should justify my being forcibly dispossessed of it. 
But there are no such reasons apparent. It is not contended 
that there was any misconduct on the part of the Tuscaloosa, 
unless her entry into a British port as a Confederate cruiser be 
deemed misconduct. As stated in the beginning of this letter, 
she had no intention of violating any order of the Queen. Her 
error, therefore, if it were an error, is entitled to be considered 
with gentleness and not with hardship. Her error was the error 
of yourself and his Excellency the Governor, as well as myself. 
We all agreed, I believe, that she was a lawfully commissioned 
ship, and that her commission estopped all further enquiry. In 
the meantime, she proceeds to sea thus endorsed, as it were, 
by the Colonial authorities ; your Home Government overrules 
your decision ; the Tuscaloosa returns in good faith to your 
port to seek renewed hospitality under your orders of neutrality. 
And what happens ? An English officer, armed with your order, 
proceeds on board of her, turns her commander and officers out 
of her, and assumes possession on the ground that she has vio- 
lated the Queen's orders ; and this without any warning to de- 
part or any other notice whatever. In the name of all open and 
fair dealing — in the name of frankness, candour, and good faith, 
I most respectfully enter my protest against such an extreme, 
uncalled-for, and apparently unfriendly course. 

But the most extraordinary part of the proceeding has yet 
to be stated. You not only divest me of my title to my prize, 
but you tell me that you are about to hand her over to the ene- 
my ! On what principle this can be done I am utterly at a loss 
to conceive. Although it may be competent to a Government, 
in an extreme case, to confiscate to the Exchequer a prize, there is 
but one possible contingency in which the prize can be restored 
to the opposite belligerent, and that is the one already mentioned 
of a capture within neutral jurisdiction. And this is done on 
the ground of the nullity of the original capture. The prize is 
pronounced not to have been lawfully made, and this being the 
case, and the vessel being within the jurisdiction of the neutral 
whose waters have been violated, there is but one course to pur- 
sue. The vessel does not belong to the captor, and as she does 
not belong to the neutral, as a matter of course she belongs to 
the opposite belligerent, and must be delivered up to him. But 



328 

there is no analogy between that case and the one we are con- 
sidering. My capture cannot be declared a nullity. My title is 
as good against the enemy as though condemnation had passed. 
The vessel either belongs to me or to the British Government. 
If she belongs to me, justice requires that she should be deliv- 
ered up to me. If she belongs (by way of confiscation) to the 
British Government, why should that Government make a gra- 
tuitous present of her to one of the belligerents rather than the 
other ? 

My Government cannot fail, I think, to view this matter in 
the light in which I have placed it ; and it is deeply to be re- 
gretted that a weaker people struggling against a stronger for 
very existence should have so much cause to complain of the un- 
friendly disposition of a Government from which, if it represents 
truly the instincts of Englishmen, it had the right to expect at 
least sympathy and kindness in the place of rigour and harsh- 
ness. 



No. VII. 

MEASUREMENTS OF THE ALABAMA. 

We are indebted to Messrs. Laird Brothers, of Birkenhead, 
for the following measurements of the Alabama : 

Length About 230 feet. 

Length between perpendiculars, ... " 213.8 " 

Breadth of beam extreme, " 32.0 " 

Depth moulded, " 19.9 " 

Draft of water when complete, with about 
300 tons coal in bunkers and stores on 
board for a six months' cruise, . . " 15.0 " 

Engines. — 300 horse power collective. 

Rig. — Three-masted schooner, with long lower masts and 
yards on fore and main-masts. 

The hull of the vessel built of wood, the general arrangement 
of scantling and materials being the same as in vessels of simi- 
lar class in Her Majesty's navy. 

The vessel and machinery throughout were built by Messrs. 
Laird Brothers at their works at Birkenhead. 

THE END. 



